WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department said late Wednesday that it has confirmed there was a small explosion near the U.S Embassy in Montenegro's capital city of Podgorica at approximately midnight local time.

"The embassy is currently conducting an internal review to confirm the safety of all staff," said U.S. State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert in a tweet.

"At this time, Embassy officials are working closely with police to identify the assailant(s)," Nauert added in a second tweet.

A suicide attacker threw an explosive device in the U.S. embassy compound in Podgorica Thursday before blowing himself up with another bomb, announced the Montenegrin government.