U.S. halts Syrian embassy, consulate operations, orders diplomats out
Source: Reuters
U.S. halts Syrian embassy, consulate operations, orders diplomats out
WASHINGTON Tue Mar 18, 2014 11:54am EDT
(Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday suspended operations of the Syrian Embassy in Washington and its consulates and told diplomats and staff who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents to leave the country.
U.S. special envoy for Syria Daniel Rubinstein said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had refused to step down and was responsible for atrocities against Syrians.
"We have determined it is unacceptable for individuals appointed by that regime to conduct diplomatic or consular operations in the United States," said Rubinstein, whose appointment was announced by the State Department on Monday.
"Consequently, the United States notified the Syrian government today that it must immediately suspend operations of its embassy in Washington, D.C., and its honorary consulates in Troy, Michigan, and Houston, Texas," he said in a statement.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/us-syria-crisis-usa-idUSBREA2H1CV20140318