OTTAWA — Canada became the first Western nation to order an evacuation of its nationals from Syria Thursday, urging some 5,000 people to leave the violence-wracked Middle East nation.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird urged Canadians in Syria to leave the country “by any available means and while options exist.”
“Today we are declaring a voluntary evacuation of all Canadians in Syria,” the minister said. “The time to leave Syria is now.”
Mr. Baird said Ottawa has “directed officials to undertake a voluntary evacuation over the next month”. The federal government has been urging all nationals in Syria to leave since October.
The call for Canadian’s to leave came as it was reported that Syrian army deserters had killed at least 27 soldiers and members of the security forces during clashes in the southern province of Daraa on Thursday.
Baird expressed concerns sanctions imposed by the Arab League on Thursday, limiting air travel, could leave Canadians trapped if they don’t move quickly to flee the deteriorating situation.
“Today we are declaring a voluntary evacuation of all Canadians in Syria,” Baird said. “The time to leave Syria is now.”
Canadian energy giant Suncor last week withdrew from Libya, suspending a $1.2 billion natural gas operation with the state-owned General Petroleum Corporation and evacuating its staff.
Source:
Canada orders evacuation of nationals from Syria | News | National Post
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