This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/05/syria-bans-us-european-diplomats

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Syria bans US and European diplomats Syria bans US and European diplomats
(8 days later)
Syria has barred a string of US and European diplomats, saying they are "no longer welcome" in the country, but has signed an agreement to admit humanitarian aid.Syria has barred a string of US and European diplomats, saying they are "no longer welcome" in the country, but has signed an agreement to admit humanitarian aid.
Last week, western nations expelled Syrian diplomats in a co-ordinated move over the Houla massacre, in which more than 100 people were slaughtered over one weekend in a cluster of small villages.Last week, western nations expelled Syrian diplomats in a co-ordinated move over the Houla massacre, in which more than 100 people were slaughtered over one weekend in a cluster of small villages.
The UN says pro-regime gunmen were believed to be responsible for at least some of the killings. President Bashar Assad has insisted his forces had nothing to do with the massacre.The UN says pro-regime gunmen were believed to be responsible for at least some of the killings. President Bashar Assad has insisted his forces had nothing to do with the massacre.
The countries targeted by the expulsion order have already withdrawn their ambassadors from Damascus, but the move shows how far diplomatic ties have disintegrated over the course of the uprising, which began in March last year.The countries targeted by the expulsion order have already withdrawn their ambassadors from Damascus, but the move shows how far diplomatic ties have disintegrated over the course of the uprising, which began in March last year.
"Some countries have informed our diplomatic missions and our embassies' staff that they are unwelcome," Jihad Makdessi, a foreign ministry spokesman, said in a statement."Some countries have informed our diplomatic missions and our embassies' staff that they are unwelcome," Jihad Makdessi, a foreign ministry spokesman, said in a statement.
He said Damascus had decided to take a "reciprocal measure" against ambassadors from the US, Britain, Turkey, Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain. A number of French, German, Canadian, Bulgarian and Belgian diplomats also were affected, Makdessi said.He said Damascus had decided to take a "reciprocal measure" against ambassadors from the US, Britain, Turkey, Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain. A number of French, German, Canadian, Bulgarian and Belgian diplomats also were affected, Makdessi said.
Meanwhile, aid workers and supplies will be allowed to enter four provinces after the Syrian government agreed to a written deal with the UN and other international organisations.Meanwhile, aid workers and supplies will be allowed to enter four provinces after the Syrian government agreed to a written deal with the UN and other international organisations.
The agreement with Damascus and representatives of the government in Geneva should allow convoys with supplies and aid workers from nine UN agencies and seven other non-governmental organisations to enter Deraa, Deir el-Zour, Homs and Idlib within days, said John Ging of the UN office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs.The agreement with Damascus and representatives of the government in Geneva should allow convoys with supplies and aid workers from nine UN agencies and seven other non-governmental organisations to enter Deraa, Deir el-Zour, Homs and Idlib within days, said John Ging of the UN office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs.
"Whether this is a breakthrough or not will be measured in the coming weeks," Ging told reporters in Geneva after emerging from a closed session to discuss the dire humanitarian situation in Syria."Whether this is a breakthrough or not will be measured in the coming weeks," Ging told reporters in Geneva after emerging from a closed session to discuss the dire humanitarian situation in Syria.
Ging said the government had pledged to grant visas and clear up other bureaucratic hurdles blocking help from being delivered, and he hoped workers and supplies would enter within "days not weeks".Ging said the government had pledged to grant visas and clear up other bureaucratic hurdles blocking help from being delivered, and he hoped workers and supplies would enter within "days not weeks".
He said at least 1 million Syrians were in urgent need of some form of humanitarian aid, including people injured during the fighting and families who had lost jobs or homes.He said at least 1 million Syrians were in urgent need of some form of humanitarian aid, including people injured during the fighting and families who had lost jobs or homes.
More than 78,000 Syrian refugees were also being helped in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, the UN refugee agency said.More than 78,000 Syrian refugees were also being helped in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, the UN refugee agency said.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.