US pulls out ambassador to Syrian as fears mount

The United States yesterday pulled its ambassador out of Damascus because of threats to his safety in Syria, where protesters are trying to end 41 years of authoritarian rule by the Assad family.

The Syrian government in turn quickly ordered home its envoy to the US, raising the diplomatic stakes.

Ambassador Robert Ford had angered the Syrian government by cultivating contacts with the seven-month-old grassroots movement against president Bashar al-Assad, leading to attacks on his embassy and residence, diplomats said.

“Ambassador Robert Ford was brought back to Washington as a result of credible threats against his personal safety in Syria,” said state department spokesman Mark Toner.

“At this point, we can’t say when he will return to Syria. It will depend on our assessment of Syrian regime-led incitement and the security situation on the ground.”

In an immediate response, Syrian ambassador Imad Moustapha left the US, said Roua Shurbaji, a Syrian Embassy spokeswoman. She said no other steps were being taken by the embassy and declined to comment on the US allegations.

Mr Ford was the first American ambassador to Syria since 2005. President George W Bush’s administration withdrew a full-time ambassador from Syria over charges the country was involved in terrorism and the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.

Officials stressed Mr Ford had not been “withdrawn” from Syria – an act that would have implied the US had no intention of sending him back to Damascus.

The United Nations says the government crackdown has killed 3,000 people, including 187 children, in Syria.