France closes missions in Turkey over security fears

France has temporarily shut down its embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara and its consulate in Istanbul, citing security reasons.

“The Embassy of France in Ankara, as well as the ConsulateGeneral in Istanbul, will be closed from Wednesday July 13, 1pm (10:00 GMT), until further notice,” the embassy said in a statement on Wednesday.

The announcement came a day after France scrapped Bastille Day - or French National Day - receptions at these missions on security grounds.

French consul to Istanbul Muriel Domenach wrote on Twitter the events in all three cities had been cancelled “for security reasons”, and that France was in touch with the Turkish authorities.