US orders suspension of Syrian Embassy operations

The US Administration ordered on Tuesday the suspension of Syrian diplomatic operations on its soil, asking Syrian employees to leave the country.

The measure came after the Syrian authorities announced last week that they would suspend the embassy’s provision of consular services, leaving it without a purpose.

The Syrian ambassador left Washington over a year ago.

In a statement, the US Special Envoy for Syria, Daniel Rubinstein, said: “This week marks the three-year anniversary of the Syrian revolution. For three years, Bashar al-Assad has refused to heed the call of the Syrian people to step aside.

“He has directed a war against his own people and created a humanitarian catastrophe in order to hold on to power and protect his narrow interests.”

Rubinstein continued: “Following the announcement that the Syrian Embassy has suspended its provision of consular services, and in consideration of the atrocities the Assad regime has committed against the Syrian people, we have determined it is unacceptable for individuals appointed by that regime to conduct diplomatic or consular operations in the United States.”

He explained that the US has notified the Syrian government that it must immediately suspend operations of its Embassy in Washington and its honorary consulates in Troy, Michigan and Houston, Texas.

In addition, the US told those Syrian diplomats at the embassy and the honorary consulates who are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents that they must depart the country.

However, Rubinstein also insisted that: “Despite the differences between our governments, the United States continues to maintain diplomatic relations with the state of Syria as an expression of our longstanding ties with the Syrian people, an interest that will endure long after Bashar Al-Assad leaves power.”

He continued: “The 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.”