Britain withdraws its diplomatic staff from Syria

Britain closed its embassy and withdrew its entire diplomatic staff from Syria due to security concerns, the UK’s Foreign Office confirmed today.

In a statement to lawmakers, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said, “I wish to inform the House that I have taken the decision on security grounds to suspend the services of the British Embassy in Damascus and to withdraw all diplomatic staff.”, according to News.com.

“Our Ambassador and diplomatic staff left Syria on 29 February and will return to the UK shortly. British Nationals who remain in Syria despite our longstanding and consistent message to leave the country should contact the Embassy of any remaining EU Member State if they require consular assistance,” the statement added.