The World Bank said it would not open its buildings in Washington on Friday because of a bomb threat. "World Bank Group Corporate Security is investigating a bomb threat received by telephone. The Bank is working with law enforcement officials to determine the validity of the threat," according to a short post on the World Bank Web site.

"As a precautionary measure, Bank Group management has decided to close all World Bank Group leased and owned buildings in Washington on Friday, Jan. 18.

A call to the Bank was transferred to a security office, where a man who answered the phone confirmed the announcement on the bank's Web site. He would not give his name.

The World Bank is located near the White House in downtown Washington. Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have been frequent targets of street protests.

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