Kabul's Irish bar closes after terror threats

The Afghan capital's only pub has closed its doors within weeks of opening after warnings that it could be the target of a terror…

The Afghan capital's only pub has closed its doors within weeks of opening after warnings that it could be the target of a terror attack.

The Irish Club, which served only foreigners in a conservative country where sale of alcohol to the predominately Muslim population is banned, opened on March 17th, St Patrick's Day. It did a roaring trade among expatriate aid workers, diplomats and journalists.

A spokesman for the UN in Kabul said UN staff had been banned from going to the bar after security warnings.

"It's been placed off-limits indefinitely after warnings that it could be the target of a terror attack," spokesman Mr David Singh said, adding that he did not know the origin of the threats.

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The same security warnings have been issued to staff of non-governmental organisations and embassies.

Mr David Porter, an English partner in the business run by an Irish Australian, said the club had decided to shut down for at least a week from Friday because of the warnings.

"We take security of our customers very seriously, so we will stay closed until that threat is over," he said, adding that security warnings had been passed on by both the United Nations and the US embassy.