Canada urges citizens to flee Syria

Updated: 2011-12-16 10:15

(Xinhua)

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OTTAWA - Canadians in Syria should flee the turbulent Syria now, while there are commercial flights out of the country, the country's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Thursday.

Baird said at a news conference at his ministry headquarters that Canada is launching a one-month "voluntary evacuation" to help the estimated 5,000 Canadians, who are believed to be in Syria mostly holding dual citizenships, though Canadian companies also have workers in Syria's oil fields.

Bair warned that sanctions imposed by the Arab League already limit air traffic over Syria, and the situation in the Middle East country is deteriorating.

He said Canadian diplomatic staff "will provide facilitated services to assist Canadians in preparing for their departure."

Baird also said Canada has no plans to sever diplomatic relations with Syria and isn't contemplating any military intervention at this time, but the children of embassy staff have been evacuated from Syria.

Syria has placed severe restrictions on Canadian diplomats operating in that country, he said, suggesting Canadians try to reach the embassy in Damascus by telephone or go there in person.

Expedited visas will be made available for people traveling with Canadians, Baird said.

"Our embassy in Damascus is also available to assist Canadians in Syria, as well as their spouses and their dependent children, with the needed travel documents, visas between now and January 14, 2012," Baird said.

"I must warn that should Canadians stay in Syria, we will not be able to guarantee the current service at our embassy or those commercial options to leave the country will remain available," Baird added.

Canada has been encouraging Canadians to leave Syria since April 23, and announced on May 24, and expanded on August 13 and October 4, targeted sanctions against the Syrian government and some designated individuals and entities in response to the ongoing violent crackdown by Syrian military and security forces against Syrians peacefully protesting for democracy and human rights.

The Arab League has imposed severe sanctions on Syria and suspended its membership on November 16.

Syria became the second member state punished by the Arab League this year after Libya due o their handling of domestic protests. The League agreed to support the establishment of a non- fly zone in Libya in March, which paved the way for a UN resolution against Libya.

In mid-March, anti-government protests erupted in Syria. Some 5, 000 people have been killed so far in clashes during the protests, according to the UN figures. The Syrian government blamed the armed groups for launching attacks.