18 April 2008

ISLAMABAD - The Netherlands has shifted its embassy in the Pakistani capital to a luxury hotel because of security worries following the release of a film criticising Islam.

The film by right-wing Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders has triggered street protests in Pakistan and other Muslim countries and calls for a boycott of Dutch goods.

Embassy spokeswoman Mirjam Krijnen said Thursday that the Dutch Embassy and its staff have ''a different profile'' because of the film and want to avoid taking any risks. She wouldn't say if the embassy has received any concrete threats.

Krijnen said officials are looking at how to tighten security around the vacated embassy building so that staff can return.

[AP / Expatica]