US suspends Syria embassy operations

The US has ordered that Assad's government immediately cease all diplomatic operations at its embassy in the US, a move that has drawn praise from congressional leaders.
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad speaks during his meeting with the leadership al-Baath party of Damascus countryside,in Damascus March 8, 2014,in this handout released by Syria's national news agency SANA. REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT CIVIL UNREST ) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad speaks during his meeting with the leadership al-Baath party of Damascus countryside,in Damascus Mar. 8, 2014. - REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters
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Laura Rozen
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The United States announced Tuesday that it has ordered the Syrian government to immediately cease all operations at its embassy in Washington, D.C. and two honorary consulates in Houston, Texas and Troy, Michigan.

Personnel at the facilities who are not US citizens or legal US residents have been ordered to depart the country.

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