US ambassador Robert Ford pulled out of Syria

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

October 24 2011 Last updated at 12:43 GMT

The US has pulled out its ambassador to Syria, Robert Ford, because of concerns for his safety, officials say.

Mr Ford angered Syrian authorities by showing solidarity with activists involved in an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

A US spokesman said Mr Ford had left Damascus at the weekend after "credible threats against his personal safety".

=snip=

Mr Ford, an Arabic-speaker who has served in several Arab countries, has expressed solidarity with protesters as well as denouncing Syria's crackdown on its opponents.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15431926

[Firebrand Gary]

1. This is good news.

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Turborama.

[Beacool]

3. I'm glad that they pulled him out.

:-(

[Fuddnik]

4. US to come trick or treating as a drone?

[benld74]

5. Bob states, "About time you guys showed up!"

[iandhr]

6. Time to evacuate

Non essential embassy personal as well.

[TheWraith]

7. If the ambassador is out, they probably already have.

I would assume that the embassy staff is now down to defense troops and essential personnel.

[ellisonz]

8. More than 3,000 dead already...

"Mr Ford arrived in Damascus in January as the first US ambassador to Syria for more than five years."

He was a recess appointment because the Republicans didn't think we needed anyone in Syria. Opposing Robert Ford is backing GOP diplomacy.