Damascus recalls envoy to Washington

Diplomatic relations between the US and Syria deteriorated as Damascus recalled its envoy to Washington yesterday.

The retaliatory move came hours after the US accused Syria of leading an "incitement campaign" which drove its ambassador to leave Damascus amid growing security concerns.

Robert Ford, who has repeatedly denounced Syria's President, Bashar al-Assad, over crackdowns against pro-democracy protesters, left Syria on Saturday in response to "credible threats against his personal safety". Mr Ford and his aides were attacked with rocks by demonstrators as they attempted to visit a political opposition figure last month.