Barak applauds decision to expel Syrian ambassadors

Defense minister says Syria ‘can no longer belong to the family of nations’

Defense Minister Ehud Barak welcomed the decision by many Western countries to expel Syrian envoys from their capitals on Tuesday.

“The removal of the ambassadors is another step toward toppling Assad, whose regime can no longer belong to the family of nations” Barak said.

The US, Germany, France, Britain, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Italy, Canada, Australia, and Spain are among the countries that expelled Syrian envoys to protest a recent offensive in Houla, Syria that saw over 100 people killed.

Dead bodies following the assault on Houla, Syria on Friday. The UN estimates some 100 people died, including 32 children. (photo credit: AP/Shaam News Network. AP cannot independently verify this photo)

Barak’s comments came a few hours after the United Nations claimed that most of the people killed in the Houla massacre were killed at close range. Many of the victims were executed in their own homes.

The UN has also stated that approximately 10,000 people have been killed in Syria since the uprising against President Bashar Assad began. Other reports suggested that forces loyal to Assad are using sexual assault to topple the opposition.

Earlier in the week, Barak called on world powers to “immediately stop” the violence in Syria in the aftermath of the Houla massacre.

“The massacre perpetrated by the Assad regime in Houla and the murder of children, women and elderly over the past year obligates the world to intervene,” Barak said.