Bomb Squad Called to Embassies in Australia over Suspicious Packages

Bomb squad officers were called to the French and Israeli embassies in Australia on Monday following the discovery of suspicious packages that were later found to be harmless.

Police said a bomb response team dispatched to the diplomatic posts in Canberra determined that the items were not suspicious and road closures around the embassies were lifted, a police spokeswoman said.

It was not clear if the incidents were linked.

The French embassy said the drama was sparked by a courier parcel delivered on Monday morning.

The building was evacuated while police officers examined the parcel but it was deemed not to be dangerous, she added.

The Israeli embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The embassies are near one another in Yarralumla, a suburb of Canberra that is home to a large number of foreign missions.