06-08-2011, 05:45 AM
State Department Urges All U.S. Citizens to Leave Syria Now
Friday, August 5, 2011
Aug. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The State Department today urged all U.S. citizens in Syria to leave the country immediately, citing "ongoing uncertainty and volatility" as protests mount against President Bashar al-Assad.
Those who must remain in Syria should limit all non- essential travel within the country, the department said. The warning also advised U.S. citizens to defer all travel plans to Syria.
The State Department said several Syrian cities, including the capital, Damascus, have been placed on "heightened security," while travelers on Syrian roads have encountered "an increased number of checkpoints and roadblocks."
With the Assad regime attributing the country's protests and violence to foreign influences, detained U.S. citizens could find themselves accused of incitement or espionage, the department said.
The travel warning came on a day when Syrian security forces killed at least nine people as Assad's army pressed its attack on the central city of Hama.
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities such as Aleppo and Homs.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday said Assad has "lost his legitimacy to govern," though she stopped short of calling for him to step down.
More than 2,000 people have been killed since demonstrations against the Assad regime began in March, Clinton said.
April Alert
In April, the State Department ordered all eligible family members of U.S. government employees, along with some non- emergency personnel, to leave Syria.
The U.S. embassy in Damascus was attacked by pro-Assad demonstrators in July, resulting in the embassy's closure for one day.
Clinton said the U.S. is working "around the clock" to build international support for increased measures to isolate the Assad regime, including economic sanctions.
The United Nations Security Council issued a statement this week condemning Assad's military crackdown.
--Editors: Don Frederick, Paul Tighe.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...z1UDkf2wKW
Friday, August 5, 2011
Aug. 5 (Bloomberg) -- The State Department today urged all U.S. citizens in Syria to leave the country immediately, citing "ongoing uncertainty and volatility" as protests mount against President Bashar al-Assad.
Those who must remain in Syria should limit all non- essential travel within the country, the department said. The warning also advised U.S. citizens to defer all travel plans to Syria.
The State Department said several Syrian cities, including the capital, Damascus, have been placed on "heightened security," while travelers on Syrian roads have encountered "an increased number of checkpoints and roadblocks."
With the Assad regime attributing the country's protests and violence to foreign influences, detained U.S. citizens could find themselves accused of incitement or espionage, the department said.
The travel warning came on a day when Syrian security forces killed at least nine people as Assad's army pressed its attack on the central city of Hama.
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities such as Aleppo and Homs.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday said Assad has "lost his legitimacy to govern," though she stopped short of calling for him to step down.
More than 2,000 people have been killed since demonstrations against the Assad regime began in March, Clinton said.
April Alert
In April, the State Department ordered all eligible family members of U.S. government employees, along with some non- emergency personnel, to leave Syria.
The U.S. embassy in Damascus was attacked by pro-Assad demonstrators in July, resulting in the embassy's closure for one day.
Clinton said the U.S. is working "around the clock" to build international support for increased measures to isolate the Assad regime, including economic sanctions.
The United Nations Security Council issued a statement this week condemning Assad's military crackdown.
--Editors: Don Frederick, Paul Tighe.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...z1UDkf2wKW
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
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"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.