US to close embassies in Muslim countries for Sunday over security concerns

MANAMA (Xinhua) - The US administration has decided to close its foreign missions in Muslim countries, including Bahrain, for Sunday over "security concerns," according to the website of the US embassy in the Gulf kingdom.

An unspecified number of US embassies and consulates will close or suspend operations on Sunday, a workday in Muslim countries, after US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf warned of security and safety threats.

Accordingly, "the US embassy in Manama, Bahrain will be closed on Sunday, August 4," said an advisory posted on the embassy's website, adding US citizen services and visa appointments have been rescheduled on an individual basis.

The embassy advised US citizens in Bahrain to avoid areas of large gatherings, warning "even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence."

The United States issued a warning in 2012 cautioning its diplomatic facilities throughout the Muslim world of possible violence linked to the anniversary of the Sept.-11 attacks.  

Around Sept. 11, 2012, dozens of US foreign missions came under attack over an US-made movie that insulted Islam.  

The US ambassador to Libya, along with three other US citizens, was killed in one of such attacks the country's eastern city of Benghazi.