Poland shuts down Damascus embassy

Poland Foreign Ministry said on Friday Poland has closed its embassy in Syria and evacuated its diplomats because of the deteriorating security situation in Damascus. Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said he took the decision out of concern for the security of the embassy's staff. "The decision has been taken due to the dramatically aggravating crisis in Syria, which has led to the deterioration of security and has made it impossible for Polish diplomats to carry out their duties," Sikorski told a news conference in Warsaw. The move comes amid a dramatic escalation in the 16-month conflict, with fears of a major onslaught by regime troops against rebel fighters in Syria's largest city Aleppo. The embassy also has been representing the US interests in the country. Sikorski said the embassy will reopen as soon as security conditions allow it.