U.S. Diplomatic Facilities in Germany Increase Security Over 'Heightened Threat'

BERLIN – U.S. diplomatic facilities have increased their security due to a "heightened threat," the U.S. Embassy in Berlin said Friday.

Robert Wood, a U.S. embassy spokesman, noted that German authorities had said Germany faces an increased threat of terrorism because its military takes part in missions in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"U.S. diplomatic and consular facilities in Germany are increasing their security posture," the embassy said in a statement. "We are taking these steps in response to a heightened threat situation."

The embassy refused to say whether there were specific threats.

Earlier this month, the State Department issued a "Worldwide Caution" saying there had been no change from previous warnings about the possibility of Al Qaeda attacks in Europe, Asia, Africa or the Middle East.

"These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings," the statement said.