Danish ambassador leaves Syria over security concerns

The Danish ambassador and other embassy staff have temporarily left Syria because authorities have dropped security around them to an ”inadequate level”, the Foreign Ministry said today.

The building housing the embassy was burned last week by an angry mob protesting against the Prophet Mohammed cartoons published in a Danish newspaper.

The Foreign Ministry said the ambassador and all expatriate staff at the embassy had left the country.

“The de-escalation of the protection of the ambassador and his staff to an inadequate level is the reason for the departure,” the ministry said.

It said the German Embassy in Dmascus would handle Denmark’s consular services for the time being.

Denmark temporarily closed its embassy in Lebanon earlier this week after similar protests there.