Turkey temporarily closes its embassy in Damascus
Officials say ambassador and other diplomats will return to Turkey, consulate in Aleppo will remain open
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey said it was closing its embassy in Damascus and recalling its ambassador to Syria because of the security situation in the country.
A brief statement posted on the embassy’s website late Sunday said, however, that the Turkey’s consulate in Aleppo will remain open.
A ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with ministry regulations said Monday the embassy was being closed due to the security situation in Syria. The Turkish ambassador and other diplomats would be returning to Turkey.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently said that Turkey was on a brink of breaking diplomatic ties with Syria and withdrawing its ambassador.
The UN says more than 8,000 people have been killed since Syria’s President Bashar Assad launched a crackdown on the opposition a year ago.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
The Times of Israel Community.