ABU DHABI // A push-button warning system will be set up in all embassies in Abu Dhabi starting from January in an effort to upgrade security services provided to diplomats. The warning system will be connected with police operations centres, said Brig Fares Khalifa, the general director of establishments protection at the Ministry of Interior. "If there is a problem inside the embassy, and perhaps the policeman outside did not notice, the embassy employee could simply push the button," he said. "We understand that there is a problem, so we send police patrols."
He said the warning system would classify buildings by importance. Embassies would have a high priority because "we are committed by international treaties to provide their security". Embassies would be further ranked according to the size of their local communities or number of visitors. The services would be offered to embassies according to their needs. Some embassies, he said, do not face threats, do not have a large number of visitors or do not have large communities in the country.
"In such cases, we apply lighter security there," he said. * Haneen Dajani and Hassan Hassan