Syria: Ambassadors Expelled in Protest at Houla Massacre · Global Voices
Rayna St.

This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011/12.
The brutal massacre committed in the district of Houla has prompted a wave of horrified reactions around the world. A number of governments have taken the decision to expel Syrian ambassadors in protest at the escalation of violence.
On May 26, UN Observers finally arrived in Houla and confirmed 108 victims, among which were 48 children. In a press conference after an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, it was made clear that “outrageous use of force” against civilians was used by the regime, meaning that most of the victims were actually executed.
Australia was the first country to announce the expulsion of a Syrian diplomat. French President François Hollande then announced the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador in France, and Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy and Bulgaria followed suit, as well as the USA and Canada.
From Paris, journalist Ammar Abd Rabbo commented:
Embassy of Syria, London. Image by Flickr user Yersinia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0).
@AmmarParis: Some are happy because Baath ambassadors are expelled frm European countries… I'll be really happy when they'll be expelled frm ‪#Syria‬ !!!
Issandr El Amrani said:
@arabist: All these Syrian ambassadors being expelled must be dreading to being going back home. Time for some defections!
Shakeeb Al Jabri responded:
@LeShaque: They can't. Their families were forced back home last August and are held as hostages to ensure continued loyalty.
Leila in Lebanon noted:
@LSal92: I bet all these countries kicking out their Syrian ambassadors all possess Israeli ambassadors.
Amani made a similar point:
@Amani_Lebanon: I expect Israeli ambassadors to be expelled from different parts of the world next time it commits massacres on Gaza. Yeah right. ‪#Syria
London-based Karl Sharro tweeted:
@KarlreMarks: The expulsion of Syrian ambassadors from Western countries is empty posturing by governments that have no clear policy towards ‪#Syria
He also joked:
@KarlreMarks: So three Syrian ambassadors walk into a bar… no, scratch that, it's a travel agent.
This post is part of our special coverage Syria Protests 2011/12.