Belgium closes embassy in Syria amid ongoing violence

[News_Editor]

Belgium closes embassy in Syria amid ongoing violence

2012-03-30 17:41:59 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (BNO NEWS) -- The Belgian government on Thursday decided to close its embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus as a result of the deteriorating security situation in the country, officials said. Belgium is also recalling its ambassador and reducing diplomatic relations with Syria.

A statement from the Belgian Foreign Ministry said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders informed the Council of Ministers of his decision to immediately close the embassy and reduce diplomatic relations between Belgium and Syria to delegation level.

Unrest has increasingly spread to Damascus which was the scene of four deadly suicide bombings in recent months. On March 17, at least 27 people were killed and 140 others were injured when two suicide bombers simultaneously attacked government buildings in the capital, prompting several governments to close their embassies.

The Belgian Foreign Ministry said the decision to downgrade diplomatic relations is in protest against the continued crackdown by government forces on pro-democracy protests, which began in March 2011. "For over a year now the authorities have responded to the wishes of the Syrian people for democratic reform only with increasing repression resulting in many deaths," the ministry said in a statement. "For Belgium and a large part of the international community, this is unacceptable."

Along with two other colleagues, Belgian Ambassador Françoise Gustin was recalled immediately on Thursday. A Belgian diplomat will be installed as a temporary delegate, who will work in the European Union Representation building in Damascus, the ministry said.

Since the start of the uprising in March 2011, at least 3,800 people have died as a result of violence, according to government figures, but opposition activists and the United Nations claim the actual number has already surpassed 9,000. As a result of the deteriorating security situation in Damascus, countries such as the United States, Canada, France, Britain, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Japan and Saudi Arabia had already closed their embassies there.

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