Western Nations Expelling Syrian Diplomats After Massacre

Diplomats from several Western nations, including Britain, Canada and France, are expelling Syrian diplomats after a massacre on Friday left more than 100 Syrians dead, including many children, the Associated Press reported.

French President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday that he is expelling the Syrian ambassador, while the British are expelling three Syrian diplomats. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that officials from Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States have confirmed that they too will expel Syrian diplomats. There has been no official confirmation from U.S. officials that the United States is following suit.  

“Syrian representatives are not welcome in our countries while their masters in Damascus continue to perpetrate their heinous and murderous acts,” Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said in a statement to the AP.

The United Nations said that 49 children and 34 women were among the 108 killed in Houla, many of whom were shot at close range. The others were killed by artillery fire. Syria Envoy Kofi Annan will brief the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.