U.S., others expel top Syrian diplomats
- 12 years ago
The Syrian province of Aleppo --- six weeks after a UN brokered ceasefire. Reuters cannot independently confirm the content of this video which was uploaded to a social media website and was reportedly shot on Tuesday.
The killing of over 100 civilians, half of them children in Houla last week prompted the U.S. to deliver this message to Syrian diplomats on Tuesday -- pack your bags.
State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.
SOUNDBITE: Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland saying:
"We took this action in response to the massacre in the village of Houla...absolutely indefensible, vile"
Syria's embassy in Washington. Diplomats were summoned to the state department and told they have 72 hours to leave the country.
In a show of unity --- Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Spain also expelled diplomats.
The coordinated action took place as envoy Kofi Annan made an emergency trip to Damascus.
SOUNDBITE: Envoy Kofi Annan saying:
"I shared with President Assad my assessment that the six-point plan is not being implemented as it must. We are at a tipping point."
While Annnan's meeting is not new for Syria --- the coordinated expulsion of Syrian diplomats will be a lot more difficult to ignore.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
The killing of over 100 civilians, half of them children in Houla last week prompted the U.S. to deliver this message to Syrian diplomats on Tuesday -- pack your bags.
State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.
SOUNDBITE: Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland saying:
"We took this action in response to the massacre in the village of Houla...absolutely indefensible, vile"
Syria's embassy in Washington. Diplomats were summoned to the state department and told they have 72 hours to leave the country.
In a show of unity --- Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Spain also expelled diplomats.
The coordinated action took place as envoy Kofi Annan made an emergency trip to Damascus.
SOUNDBITE: Envoy Kofi Annan saying:
"I shared with President Assad my assessment that the six-point plan is not being implemented as it must. We are at a tipping point."
While Annnan's meeting is not new for Syria --- the coordinated expulsion of Syrian diplomats will be a lot more difficult to ignore.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.