Russia on Saturday summoned the top US envoy in Moscow to protest a search it says American officials are planning at a diplomatic facility in Washington that is due to be shuttered.

The foreign ministry said it called in acting US mission head Anthony Godfrey and handed him a "note of protest over the intention of the American authorities to conduct a search" at a Russian trade representation. "We consider the planned illegitimate search of the Russian diplomatic premises without the presence of Russian officials and a threat to break down the front door as an unprecedented, aggressive act," a statement said.

"It could be used by the US intelligence services to organise an anti-Russian provocation involving planting compromising materials."

The trade facility in Washington is one of three diplomatic buildings - including the consulate in San Francisco and an office in New York - that the US has ordered Moscow to vacate by Saturday in the latest twist in a tit-for-tat feud.

Russia's foreign ministry said Friday that US intelligence was also planning to search the consulate in San Francisco. The US has not confirmed whether it intends to search any of the Russian buildings.

Black smoke was seen rising from a chimney at the consulate on Friday, as firefighters confirmed its occupants were burning unidentified objects. A spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry insisted the smoke was due to measures to "preserve the building" at a time when officials were gearing up to leave. Washington announced the closure of the Russian compounds in retaliation for Moscow ordering the US to slash its diplomatic mission by 755 personnel by September 1

Source: Khaleej Times