DAR ES SALAAM, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Minister for Home Affairs Kangi Lugola on Thursday allayed fears of a terrorist attacks following a security alert issued by the U.S. embassy in Tanzania.
"The administration of President John Magufuli and its defense and security organs are on full alert to face up to any threats of terrorist attacks," Lugola told a news conference at the commemoration of World Refugee Day in the business capital Dar es Salaam.
"The security alert by the U.S. embassy is news like just any other ordinary news, which might be true or false, but the government is not taking anything for granted. The police are working on the security alert," added the minister.
On Wednesday, the U.S. embassy in Tanzania issued a security alert saying there were rumors of impending attacks in Masaki area in Dar es Salaam, specifically at hotels and restaurants frequented by tourists and Slipway Shopping Center on the Msasani Peninsula.
The alert said the embassy has no substantiating evidence of the threat or information on the timing, but nonetheless warned citizens to take the precautions, including being aware of their surroundings, avoiding crowds and monitoring media updates.
Lugola appealed to Tanzanians and other people residing in the country to go ahead with their businesses as the government was taking necessary steps.
