UK diplomats withdrawn from Syria

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1 March 2012 Last updated at 05:26 ET

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Foreign Secretary William Hague has withdrawn all diplomatic staff from the British Embassy in Syria and suspended its services.

Mr Hague said the embassy in Damascus had been retained "despite the violence" for communication purposes and to monitor events.

He said the deteriorating security situation put staff in danger.

The UN's rights council has passed a resolution condemning "systematic violations" against civilians.

Mr Hague revealed the decision in a written statement laid before Parliament.

He said the UK's ambassador and other diplomatic staff left Syria on 29 February and would shortly be returning to the UK.

He said: "British nationals who remain in Syria despite our longstanding and consistent message to leave the country should contact the embassy of any remaining European Union member state if they require consular assistance."

He said the UK remained committed to using diplomatic means to maintain pressure on President Bashar al-Assad's regime in a bid to stop the violence which has engulfed the country.

01 Mar, 2012

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Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-17218554
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