The US consulate general in Hong Kong closed to review security Monday after reports that five Pakistanis were arrested in Macau on suspicion of links to last week's terror attacks in the United States.
A consular spokesman said the mission would remain closed indefinitely, adding that a decision on reopening would be made at "a later date."
The closure of the consulate came after the Portuguese news agency Lusa reported Sunday that Macau police detained five Pakistanis on suspicion of links to Tuesday's attacks in New York and Washington.
Macau is a former Portuguese colony and, like the formerly British-ruled Hong Kong, is now an autonomous region under Chinese sovereignty.
At least three US consulate officials from Hong Kong reportedly left for Macau soon after the US mission was informed of the arrests.
Lusa reported that Macau police had detained the five on a tip-off from the US consulate in Hong Kong which had provided them with the men's identities.
Macau authorities said Monday, however, that the five were arrested on suspicion of belonging to a "theft group", adding: "There [could] be [a] possibility that more people would be held for involvement with the ... group.
The arrests were made Sunday after police received a tip-off that someone living in central Macau was holding an expired visa.
But Macau police chief designate, Jose Proenca Blanco, also told reporters the case was "not related" to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington last week.
A Hong Kong police spokesman added Monday there was no cause for panic as speculative reports that Hong Kong had become a terrorist target lacked substance.
"The Hong Kong police force is closely monitoring the situation and will take appropriate measures to protect public safety," the spokesman said, adding authorities had been in "close contact" with the US officials in Hong Kong.
"Hong Kong remains a highly safe and secure city. Measures will be taken to ensure the safety of US citizens and US interests in Hong Kong where necessary," he said.
"However, for obvious security reasons, no operational details can be disclosed," the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, security levels in Macau were said to be unaffected, with visitors subject to normal immigration checks. Residents were also remaining unfazed by the arrests.
Taxi driver Ho Peng Fai said: "They're just suspects, they're not confirmed terrorists. I'm not worried. I don't think it matters."
Chun Hangren, a casino security guard at Hotel Lisboa, where the arrests took place, said: "It is an ordinary atmosphere compared to normal days. There are no fewer tourists than normal and no extra security."
Reports Monday said documents seized from the men carried instructions to strike American organizations in Hong Kong and Macau if Washington launched military action against Afghanistan in retaliation for last week's suicide attacks in Washington and New York.
On Sunday US investigators added at least 50 new names to a list of people wanted for questioning as part of a global sweep for the perpetrators of those attacks which are believed to have killed more than 5,000 people.
The addition brought to more than 150 the number of people sought for questioning by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, an FBI spokesman said on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration, Donald Tsang, said Monday on his return from the United States that Hong Kong was not a traditional focus for terrorists.
Mr Tsang added Hong Kong had "sufficient resources" to counter any attack, and that its police force has sufficient manpower to counter any threat -- HONG KONG (AFP)
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