Turkey summons ambassadors of nine countries, including Belgium

Turkey has summoned the ambassadors of nine Western countries, including the United States, France, Germany and Belgium. Ankara criticised their decision to temporarily shut down diplomatic missions in Turkey due to an increased threat following Koran-burning incidents in Europe.

French news agency AFP revealed, citing an anonymous diplomatic source, that the countries involved are the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden and Belgium. Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib confirmed that the Beglian ambassador was "invited today/Thursday along with several other ambassadors for an open discussion on the security situation in Istanbul and the temporary closure of some consulates".

At least six of the countries involved, according to AFP, announced earlier this week that they were temporarily closing their consulates in Istanbul or embassies in the Turkish capital Ankara because of an increased threat level following various 'anti-Islam' actions in Europe. In recent weeks, far-right activists burned copies of the Muslim holy book, the Koran, in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands. These acts prompted Turkey to halt negotiations meant to ease its objections to Sweden and Finland joining NATO.

"Our country has a duty to protect our staff and visitors in case of a possible threat. If other Western countries decide to proceed with a closure, it is appropriate in the current situation to join them."

In addition to the closures, the US and France advised citizens to avoid several tourist attractions, such as Istanbul's Taksim Square. Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu accused the nine countries of waging "a psychological war" against Turkey. The spokesman for president Erdogan's AKP party called the countries' warnings "irresponsible".

"Our country has a duty to protect our staff and visitors in case of a possible threat. If other Western countries decide to proceed with a closure, it is appropriate in the current situation to join them. The closure is temporary," Belgian Foreign minister Hadja Lahbib clarified in response to Turkey's objections.

(BRV)

^{Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan © PHOTO Adem ALTAN / AFP}