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US closes embassy in Syria

United States Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice speaks to reporters after the Security Council voted on a resolution backing an Arab League peace plan that calls for Syrian President Bashar Assad to step down , Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at United Nations headquarters. Russia and China vetoed the resolution. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

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By BRADLEY KLAPPER, The Associated Press Updated 9:16 AM Monday, February 6, 2012

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has closed the U.S. Embassy in Damascus and pulled all American diplomats out of Syria.

Officials say Ambassador Robert Ford and other diplomats left Syria on Monday. It's the most dramatic U.S. move so far after 11 months of a violent crackdown on dissent by President Bashar Assad's regime.

The State Department warned last month it would close the embassy unless Assad's government stepped up its protection. It cited concerns about the safety of personnel and recent car bombs.

The U.N. says Assad's crackdown has killed more than 5,400 people since March. The revolt began with mostly peaceful protests, but armed rebels are now increasingly fighting the regime.

The Obama administration has long demanded that Assad step down. Officials insist his regime's demise is inevitable.

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February 06, 2012 02:12 PM EST

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