British nationals urged to leave Syria
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Your support makes all the difference.The Foreign Office today urged all British nationals to leave Syria in the wake of the latest unrest unless they have a pressing need to remain in the country.
In updated travel advice, the Foreign Office said that following the "rapid deterioration" in the security situation Britons should get out while commercial flights were still available.
"Given the situation on the ground, it is highly unlikely that the British Embassy would be able to provide a normal consular service in the event of a further breakdown of law and order and increased violent civil disorder," it said.
"British nationals should therefore plan accordingly."
Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the latest crackdown by the Syrian security forces in which more than 100 anti-government demonstrators were reportedly killed on Friday in the bloodiest day of protests so far.
"The Syrian authorities must act quickly and decisively to calm this dangerous situation and can only do so by responding to the legitimate demands of the Syrian people," he said.
"I advise all British nationals in Syria to leave the country, unless they have a pressing need to remain. The safety of British nationals is always our primary concern."
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