U.S. halts Syrian embassy in Washington, orders diplomats out.
- 10 years ago
The United States Tuesday suspended operations of the Syrian Embassy in Washington D.C. and two other consulates telling diplomats and staff who are not U.S. citizens to leave the country.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the time has come.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING:
"140,000 people killed, more than 10,000 children. Millions of refugees, millions of displaced people. People attacked by their own government with gas. People tortured and killed by the thousands."
The U.S. says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is responsible for atrocities against Syrians.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING:
"We just felt that the idea that this embassy is sitting here with representation, that we could take seriously, is an insult. And we closed it. It's that simple.
The timing poses problems for one man hoping to head to Syria. r
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CANADIAN CITIZEN SHESH WALLACE
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the time has come.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING:
"140,000 people killed, more than 10,000 children. Millions of refugees, millions of displaced people. People attacked by their own government with gas. People tortured and killed by the thousands."
The U.S. says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is responsible for atrocities against Syrians.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING:
"We just felt that the idea that this embassy is sitting here with representation, that we could take seriously, is an insult. And we closed it. It's that simple.
The timing poses problems for one man hoping to head to Syria. r
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CANADIAN CITIZEN SHESH WALLACE