US suspended operations of Syria’s embassy

Washington: US on Wednesday suspended the operations of Syria’s embassy here including its consular service and asked for the pullout of Syrian diplomats.
“Syrian diplomats at the embassy and Syrian honorary consulates are no longer permitted to perform diplomatic or consular functions and those who are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents must depart United States,” Rubinstein said.

The envoy said “Despite the differences between our governments, the US continues to maintain diplomatic relations with the state of Syria as an expression of its longstanding ties with the Syrian people, an interest that will endure long after Bashar al-Assad leaves power”.

“United States will continue to assist those seeking change in Syria, to help end the slaughter, and to resolve the crisis through negotiations – for the benefit of the Syrian people,” he added.