KUALA LUMPUR: As violence is increasing in the Syrian capital Damascus, the Malaysian government said on Sunday that it would close down their embassy in the country and evacuate all staff and over 100 students. Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said that Syria's security situation is deteriorating at a fast pace and the Southeast Asian country could not risk its citizens' safety any longer. In a statement, the minister said the decision to bring the students back was a “precautionary measure to ensure their safety and to avoid any untoward incidents.” “The government has also decided, as a precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw its ambassador and four other officials from the Embassy of Malaysia in Syria, after the evacuation exercise is completed," he said. There are 138 Malaysians, including 128 students and 10 expatriates, registered with the embassy in Damascus. It added that all of them are currently safe and accounted for, the statement added. The foreign ministry has also urged all Malaysian nationals, still in Syria, to return home or leave the country immediately while those planning to visit Syria have been requested to postpone their journey until the security situation improves.
