Rattled U.S. lawmakers applauded President Barack Obama’s decision to shutter two dozen U.S. diplomatic posts across the Middle East and North Africa this weekend, calling the threat of a fresh terrorist attack credible, specific and the most alarming in years. As well, the State Department announced it was extending by a week the current closures of 19 embassies, consulates and smaller posts. The extensions were ordered “out of an abundance of caution,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a written statement Sunday. It is “not an indication of a new threat,” Psaki said. Diplomatic facilities will remain closed in Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, among other countries, through Saturday, Aug. 10. The State Department announcement Sunday added closures of four African sites, in Madagascar, Burundi, Rwanda and Mauritius. Read more http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2...a_terrorist_threat_most_serious_in_years.html
