ABU DHABI Ñ The U.S. military in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula has been placed on the highest level of alert in wake of the attacks on New York and Washington.

U.S. officials in the Gulf and in Washington said military installations throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council states have been closed. U.S. soldiers have been ordered to stay on base.

The alert was highest in Kuwait, where the bulk of on-shore American troops is based. About 5,000 U.S. troops are usually in Kuwait, while at least another 10,000 are on warships in the Persian Gulf.

The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, which was closed on Wednesday, also issued an alert to Americans in the sheikdom to remain on alert. The embassy alert did not inform the 8,000 Americans in the sheikdom of any specific threat.

Most other U.S. embassies in the Gulf region are also expected to be closed on Wednesday. The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi was closed. Americans in the United Arab Emirates were urged to remain a low profile.

Security was also bolstered around U.S. installations in Yemen. A five-member FBI team has been in Yemen to conduct the investigation of the October bombing of the USS Cole.

Gulf defense sources said U.S. allies in the region have been cooperating in security efforts. In Kuwait, the military was placed on maximum alert. Officials said air, sea and ground troops have been ordered to intensify patrols. Kuwait also closed its air space.

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