The US Embassy in Mauritius was shut down on Monday and it will remain shut for one week following instructions from the US State Department, a diplomatic source has said.

The decision was taken due to terrorist threats that are facing US Embassies in Africa and elsewhere. A total of 19 US Embassies and Consulates have also been shut down and they include the embassies in Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Madagascar and Burundi, among others.

The decision to close the embassies was taken by Obama administration as a precautionary measure, following conversation between terrorists, that intercepted by US intelligence agencies.

The US has indicated that the strategy for the Al-Qaida terrorist group has evolved locally as well as on the regional and international level.

The US Embassy in Port Louis wrote on its website that the decision was taken as a precaution to ensure the safety of the staff and the visitors to the embassy.

The Mauritius Foreign Minister Arvin Boolell reassured the Mauritius population of their safety, noting that the closure of the US Embassy was just a precautionary measure taken by the US administration.

"The US Embassy will temporarily resume operations as from August 10, but it is expected to start normal operations on August 12, " the minister said.

Mauritius police authorities announced that security around the US Embassy in Port Louis had been reinforced and that other US interests on the island will have beefed-up security.