Dutch anti-terror forces briefly sealed off the U.S. Embassy in The Hague Thursday in response to a phone call authorities said they "had to take seriously."

For around three hours Thursday evening, the downtown building was closed to all traffic while security forces searched the area as a helicopter circled overhead.

"There was a call and there was an investigation," said police spokeswoman Nia Buiten. "I don't know what was said, but they felt they had to take it seriously. Nothing was found and it appears to have been a false alarm."

Buiten declined to specify who the call was from or if a threat had been made.

The swift police response came amid fears of an attack on American targets after Washington this week raised its terror alert to "orange," the second highest code.

The Hague is the seat of Dutch government and the location of several international courts and organizations.

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