The US diplomatic mission in Ankara, Turkey, confirmed on Sunday that it was suspending all non-immigrant visa services at its facilities following the arrest of a consulate employee.

The Embassy in the Turkish capital tweeted a statement saying that recent events have forced it to "reassess the commitment of the Government of Turkey to the security of U.S. Mission facilities and personnel."

The statement said the suspension, effective immediately, is intended to minimise the number of visitors to the consulate and embassy buildings.

This week, Turkish authorities arrested a US Consulate employee of Turkish nationality for alleged links to the network of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who the Turkish government blames for last summer's failed coup. 

According to The Wall Street Journal, the employee, Metin Topuz, was arrested Wednesday and charged with espionage and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order and Turkey’s government.

The US Embassy said it was "deeply disturbed" by the arrest.

Meanwhile, Gulen continues to deny any involvement.

On Saturday morning, two Saudi Arabian guards were shot and killed and three more were wounded when an armed man in a Hyundai car, drove up to the gate of the royal Peace Palace (Al-Salam Palace) in Jeddah and began shooting, as reported in a statement made by the interior ministry. 

The gunman has been identified as 28-year-old Saudi national Mansour al-Amri, who was killed by the Royal Guards.

According to local Saudi media, the incident took place at about 15:15 PM.

Thus far, no motive has been confirmed for the attack.

In a telephone conversation with al-Arabiya television, Mansour al-Turki, the Interior Ministry's spokesman, said that the gunman had no history of a criminal record or any other links to armed groups.

The attack happened while Saudi Arabia's King Salman was out of the country on an official state visit to Russia.