consular

The consulate says they are "facilitating all necessary consular assistance".

It is understood the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has not been approached for consular assistance.

Only after some of the workers were able to meet lawyers and consular staff, did they realise their government was working with the US authorities to get them released.

We also don't know if any UK nationals are involved - the UK foreign office has said it is aware of the incident and is ready to provide consular assistance to any affected British nationals.

US consular officers were told to refuse non-immigrant visas to "all otherwise eligible Palestinian Authority passport holders", the communication was quoted as saying.