U.S. embassy flag at half mast

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara put its flag on the main building at half mast on Saturday morning. DAILY NEWS photo, Selahattin SÖNMEZ

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara put its flag at half mast as a sign of mourning and respect for the Turkish security officer, Mustafa Akarsu, killed in the suicide attack on Feb. 1.

U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone and his wife visited Akarsu's family and described his actions as "heroic." "Mustafa was a great hero. God knows how many would have died if he hadn't been there," he told reporters in Turkish after the visit. Akarsu will be laid to rest on Feb. 2.

Meanwhile security measures around the embassy have extended. The residents living in the neighborhood are taken to their homes under police supervision. Ambulances have also been dispatched to the area.

The U.S. embassy is located in a very central and secure district of the capital. Most of the embassies of Western countries, such as France and Germany, are located in the same area.