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US, Britain Close Diplomatic Offices in Nigeria, Citing 'Security Issue'


The United States and Britain have temporarily closed their diplomatic offices in Lagos, Nigeria, citing a security issue.

A public affairs officer, Claudia Annyaso, at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja told VOA Friday that the U.S. consulate in Lagos has been close because of an security issue, which was being addressed by U.S. and Nigerian officials. The officer would not speculate on when the consulate would reopen, and had no further information on the security situation.

British officials say they also have closed their High Commission offices in Lagos.

In the past, al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden has cited Nigeria as a candidate for what he called "liberation."

Nigeria is a major petroleum producer and Africa's most populous nation.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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