U.S. evacuates staff from consulate in Pakistan’s LahoreAugust 9, 2013 - 14:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. Consulate in Lahore, the second largest city in Pakistan, was closed on Friday, Aug 9 and all workers except emergency staffers ordered to evacuate, amid receipt of “specific threats,” a spokeswoman said, according to The Washington Times. The State Department also issued a warning for all Americans in the country to be on high alert. “Terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to attack locations where U.S. citizens and Westerners are known to congregate or visit,” the statement said. The majority of U.S. diplomats and staffers are based at the Lahore office, NBC reported. “As a precautionary measure, we are undertaking a drawdown of all except emergency personnel,” U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Megan Gregonis said. She did not indicate when the facility would reopen. And another government spokesperson said this threat — while not specified to the press — was different in tone than previous ones that have evacuated and closed 19 U.S. diplomatic posts in the Middle East region in recent days. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. Seven injured in massive gas station explosion in Armenia The Investigative Committee of Armenia has unveiled details about a massive explosion at a gas station on the Yerevan-Sevan highway. Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. |