COLOMBIA: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemns attacks on U.S. and French embassies in Syria

Record ID: 278939

  • Title: COLOMBIA: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemns attacks on U.S. and French embassies in Syria
  • Date: 15th July 2011
  • Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (JULY 14, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 16:9) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER GUIDO WESTERWELLE AND COLOMBIAN VICE FOREIGN MINISTER MONICA LANZETTA MUTIS IN NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE GENERAL VIEW OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German, rough translation) GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GUIDO WESTERWELLE, SAYING: "Actions taken a
  • Embargoed: 30th July 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Colombia, Colombia
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Conflict
  • Reuters ID: LVABEB21O2G4FY2ROXPSY9A2NHY3
  • Story Text: On a visit to Colombia, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle strongly condemned on Thursday (July 14) this week's attacks by demonstrators against the U.S. and French embassies in Damascus.
    Westerwelle called on Syrian authorities to protect diplomatic property and personnel.
    Western officials say Monday's attacks were carried out by loyalists of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
    Crowds broke into the U.S. embassy and tore down plaques, while at the French embassy security guards using live ammunition drove protesters away.
    "Actions taken against diplomatic representatives in Syria are not acceptable in any way; this is a violation of international law. It is very clear that the government of Syria has the obligation to protect the diplomatic missions in their country," Westerwelle said.
    Syria has been in turmoil as a four-month-old uprising against Assad drags on.
    Westerwelle is on a brief visit to Latin America, where he met with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.
    He will fly to Mexico on Thursday night for a two-day visit starting on Friday.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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