Germany expels another 4 Syrian embassy staff

BERLIN - Germany announced its expulsion of another four members of the Syrian embassy in Berlin on Monday, in what it called a clear gesture to shrink the diplomatic liaison with regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The decision sends "a clear sign that we are reducing relations with the Assad regime to an absolute minimum" as conflict rages between Syrian government troops and rebels, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in a statement.

"We are counting on the (opposition) national coalition growing more stable and developing as soon as possible functioning institutions for the political transition,"  Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in a statement.

The incumbent acting envoy of Syria to Germany had already received the eviction order, and the four members had "to leave their posts" until Thursday, according to diplomatic protocol.

Germany had expelled the Syrian ambassador to Germany in May, in a coordinated action along with France, Britain, Italy and Spain.

Some other four Syrian diplomatic officials were also ordered to leave the country earlier in February.