Tunisia lowers flag over Syrian embassy, 'to withdraw recognition' of Syria gov't

Tunisia has started the procedure for withdrawing its recognition of the Syrian leadership under President Bashar al-Assad and for expelling the Syrian ambassador, the Tunisian president said on Saturday.   

A message posted on the Facebook page of President Moncef Marzouki said: "Tunisia has announced the launch of procedures for the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador in Tunisia and the withdrawal of all recognition of the regime in power in Damascus."   

"The only solution (to the violence in Syria) is the withdrawal of Bashar al-Asssad from power, and the launch of a democratic transition," the message said.  
     
Staff at the Syrian embassy in Tunisia's capital lowered the national flag over the building on Saturday, hours after the Tunisian president said he was expelling the ambassador and preparing to sever relations with Damascus.      

A Reuters reporter outside the Syrian embassy said that when the flag was lowered, a crowd of nearly 200 people, who were protesting nearby against the Syrian government's crackdown on its opponents, cheered and shouted: "The people want liberty for Syria!"

Reuters