Embassy attack puts Greek police on high alert ahead of Obama visit

The hand grenade attack against the French Embassy early on Thursday morning in Athens has placed Greek police under increasing pressure, just a few days before the visit of outgoing US President Barack Obama.

Foreign diplomatic missions have already filed requests for extra security, while French officials have asked the Interior Ministry to provide security to French business interests and organizations.

One policeman, standing guard outside the French Embassy opposite the Greek Parliament, was injured when unknown assailants threw a hand grenade.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack but one theory under consideration is that it was linked to Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese militant who is serving a 32-year jail sentence in France for the murder of two diplomats in the 1980s.

Texts in support of his release were posted online over the last two...