Cyprus probes suspect package at US embassy

A suspect package was sent to the U.S. embassy in Cyprus on Monday and authorities were carrying out tests to determine what it contained, officials said.

The sealed package roused embassy staff suspicions and police were called in. It was collected by the fire brigade for further tests for possible toxins.

"We discovered a suspicious package which had arrived in the mail," said embassy spokesman James Ellickson-Brown.

American embassies in 18 countries have received envelopes with white powder since Dec. 8. At 16 of the missions the letters were found to be harmless, while envelopes sent to embassies in Prague and Tokyo last week were being tested for toxins.

U.S. authorities have been on alert for such letters since 2001, when envelopes laced with the anthrax toxin were sent to media outlets and to U.S. politicians, killing five people.

Ellickson-Brown said he could not comment on specifics of the case or from where the package had been dispatched.

"The work has been done, the package is no longer here at the embassy," Ellickson-Brown said. He said it could take several days to complete inquiries.

Reuters witnesses saw fire brigade personnel in the compound of the heavily fortified embassy, which lies in the western suburbs of the capital Nicosia. They were wearing protective gear.

"The fire service took an envelope which has been sent to health services for further tests," a spokeswoman for the fire brigade services said.

She said it was sealed and authorities did not know what it contained.

Parts of the embassy had been disinfected, she said. Earlier, police and fire brigade sources said the envelope was thought to contain a suspect powder.