US decides to close embassy in Syria
Source: Agencies |
February 7, 2012, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
The United States closed its embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus yesterday in a dramatic escalation of pressure on President Bashar Assad to give up power.
The US evacuated all its diplomats from the country as Syrian forces intensified shelling on the restive city of Homs.
Already, more than 5,400 people have been killed since the Arab Spring-inspired uprising that began last March, according to the United Nations.
"We have been relentless in sending a message that it is time for Assad to go," US President Barack Obama said during an interview with NBC. "This is not going to be a matter of if, it's going to be a matter of when."
The US vowed to step up pressure on Assad to quit but ruled out military intervention. Obama said a negotiated solution in Syria was possible.
The US State Department warned last month it would close the embassy unless Assad's government stepped up its protection. It cited concerns about the safety of personnel and recent car bombs.
Also yesterday, an explosion ripped through a gas pipeline in Homs, the state-run news agency SANA reported. It blamed terrorists.
The Syrian government says terrorists acting out a foreign conspiracy are behind the uprising, not protesters seeking change.
Syria's state-run TV denied government forces were besieging Homs, saying activists in the city were setting tires on fire to make it appear as if there was a bombardment.
Syrian security forces are "chasing the terrorists and clashing with them," it said.
Forced to veto
China said yesterday it was forced to veto a United Nations vote on Syria because it was called before differences in the proposal were bridged.
On Saturday, Russia and China vetoed a draft resolution backing an Arab League plan to promote "regime change" in Syria.
China said the resolution put undue emphasis on pressuring the Syrian government and prejudged the result of any dialogue in Syria.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin yesterday rejected criticism that China was favoring the Assad government.
Liu said China supports further dialogue to end the violence in Syria, restore Mideast stability and realize the Syrian people's desire for political reform.
The US evacuated all its diplomats from the country as Syrian forces intensified shelling on the restive city of Homs.
Already, more than 5,400 people have been killed since the Arab Spring-inspired uprising that began last March, according to the United Nations.
"We have been relentless in sending a message that it is time for Assad to go," US President Barack Obama said during an interview with NBC. "This is not going to be a matter of if, it's going to be a matter of when."
The US vowed to step up pressure on Assad to quit but ruled out military intervention. Obama said a negotiated solution in Syria was possible.
The US State Department warned last month it would close the embassy unless Assad's government stepped up its protection. It cited concerns about the safety of personnel and recent car bombs.
Also yesterday, an explosion ripped through a gas pipeline in Homs, the state-run news agency SANA reported. It blamed terrorists.
The Syrian government says terrorists acting out a foreign conspiracy are behind the uprising, not protesters seeking change.
Syria's state-run TV denied government forces were besieging Homs, saying activists in the city were setting tires on fire to make it appear as if there was a bombardment.
Syrian security forces are "chasing the terrorists and clashing with them," it said.
Forced to veto
China said yesterday it was forced to veto a United Nations vote on Syria because it was called before differences in the proposal were bridged.
On Saturday, Russia and China vetoed a draft resolution backing an Arab League plan to promote "regime change" in Syria.
China said the resolution put undue emphasis on pressuring the Syrian government and prejudged the result of any dialogue in Syria.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin yesterday rejected criticism that China was favoring the Assad government.
Liu said China supports further dialogue to end the violence in Syria, restore Mideast stability and realize the Syrian people's desire for political reform.
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