US mulling closure of embassy in Syria

WASHINGTON: The US State Department said Friday it is considering closing its embassy in Damascus over growing safety concerns as the death toll mounts in the Syrian regime's crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

"We have serious concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Damascus, including the recent spate of car bombs, and about the safety and security of embassy personnel," it said in a statement.

"We have requested that the government of Syria take additional security measures to protect our embassy, and the Syrian government is considering that request," the State Department said.

"We have also advised the Syrian government that unless concrete steps are taken in the coming days we may have no choice but to close the mission," the statement said.

But it added that no final decision has been made. (AFP)