Spain closes embassy in Damascus

Spain has closed its embassy in Damascus due to violence by the Syrian regime against its people. Spanish Foreign and Cooperation Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said the decision came following consultations with European partners. But he said two Spanish diplomats would remain in Syria so that they can continue to obtain first hand information on the developments in Syria. Spain says that closing their embassy is the correct response to the "inadmissible" attitude and the "brutalities" of the Bashar Al-Assad regime. Earlier in the day, the Spanish foreign minister called for the replacement of the Syrian President, the formation of a new national government in Syria, and the calling of free elections. Spain had recalled its ambassador from Damascus on February 7th.