Terror threat closes U.S. Indonesian embassy

The heavily guarded U.S. embassy in Jakarta has been the scene of many protests

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States has closed its embassy in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta as well as its consulate in the eastern city of Surabaya indefinitely because of a "credible terrorist threat."

A service at the U.S. embassy in Jakarta commemorating the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington has also been cancelled because of the risk of a terror attack.

U.S. State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said the government had closed the facilities in the two cities "until further notice," and is reviewing security.

"Americans should be careful and realize that there is still a threat out there," Boucher said, without commenting on the specifics of the threat.

This is the second time since the attacks on America that the embassy in the world's most populous Muslim nation has been hit by security concerns.

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In October, part of the embassy was closed for two weeks amid threats by hardline Muslims that they would round up and expel all U.S. citizens.

Weak link

Indonesia is considered as one of Southeast Asia's weakest links in the war on terror and the United States has already called it a safe haven for terrorists.

In the aftermath of the attacks on America, officials in the region say Ambon in Indonesia's Maluku Islands has become the new Afghanistan for many Muslim fighters.

And while many of its Asian neighbors have cracked down on suspected terrorists, critics say Indonesia has not done enough.

The Indonesian closures came as the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide alert to Americans as the one-year anniversary of the attacks approaches. (Full story)

Citing threats of terrorist actions that may target civilians, it has cautioned Americans to be vigilant, calling on all its embassies and diplomatic posts to maintain a higher state of alert and implement appropriate security measures.

"The U.S. government has continued to receive credible indications that extremist groups and individuals are planning additional terrorist actions against U.S. interests," the announcement said.

"Such actions may be imminent and include suicide operations."

Meanwhile, CNN has learned that Philippine authorities are on "red alert" after learning an al Qaeda plot to bomb the U.S. and Israeli embassies in the capital of Manila has been activated. (Full story)

Intelligence officials say Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden, widely considered the mastermind behind the terror attacks, has turned terrorism into a franchise, focusing on Muslim separatist groups in Southeast Asia and offering them support if they merge their goals with his anti-American agenda.