Damascus: The American school and US cultural centre in Damascus were still open today, a day after Syria said it would close them following a deadly US military raid on a village near the Iraqi border.

The Damascus Community School said on its website there was "still no official word from the ministry of education regarding the status of DCS."

It added that parents would be informed if the school were to be closed tomorrow because of information from the ministry or if "security/safety concerns" necessitate such a move.

Meanwhile, sources at the US embassy said they had also received no notification to close the cultural centre.

But at the same time, Americans in Syria were being told there was a possibility the embassy might be closed to the public following the incident.

"The American community in Syria should be aware that unforeseen events or circumstances may occur that could cause the US embassy in Damascus to close to the public for an unspecified period of time," said a warden s message published on the mission s website.

"In light of these reports, the US embassy wishes to remind the American community to review their personal security practices, such as avoiding areas in which demonstrations take place and to not draw undue attention to themselves.

The US embassy in Damascus remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against US citizens and their interests overseas."
Source : PTI