Japan closes its embassy in Syria amid violence

Japan`s foreign ministry said it would close its embassy in Syria, citing deteriorating security conditions amid a brutal crackdown on anti-government protestors.

Tokyo: Japan`s foreign ministry on Wednesday said
it would close its embassy in Syria, citing deteriorating
security conditions amid a brutal crackdown on anti-government
protestors.

"We have decided to temporarily close the Japanese
embassy in Syria as of today due to worsening public safety
conditions in Syria, including the capital Damascus," a
ministry statement said.

The Syrian embassy, which had already been reducing its
operations since earlier this month, will continue to operate
out of Japan`s diplomatic compound in neighbouring Jordan, it
said.

The ministry also said Japan was continuing to urge its
nationals to avoid travel to the violence-wracked nation.(AFP)

PTI