Canada has withdrawn its remaining diplomats from Syria and closed its embassy in Damascus, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird announced Monday, citing the deteriorating security situation in the country. “Canada has maintained its diplomatic presence in Syria-despite the risks-to monitor developments on the ground and to deliver tough and frank messages to the Syrian authorities,” Baird said in a statement. “These messages will continue to be delivered directly through the Syrian embassy here in Ottawa and through our other international forums,” Baird wrote. Earlier on Monday, Baird announced further sanctions against Syria, including a freeze on the assets of the country's central bank and seven senior ministers of the government of President Bashar Al-Assad.
