American embassy closes in Syria

The United States on Monday closed its embassy in Syria and evacuated its staff, including Ambassador Robert Ford, over security concerns, RIA-Novosti quotes the State Department.
At least 5,400 people have been killed in the Syrian government's 11-month crackdown on protesters, according to the UN. Syrian authorities blame the violence on armed gangs affiliated with al-Qaeda and say more than 2,000 soldiers and police have been killed.