Poland has temporarily closed its embassy in Syria and evacuated its diplomats, including its United States Interests Section, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday.

“The decision has been taken due to the dramatically aggravating crisis in Syria, which has led to the deterioration of security and has made it impossible for Polish diplomats to carry out their duties," Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski told a news conference. “The embassy will reopen as soon as security conditions allow it,” he added.

The embassy in Damascus had also been representing US interests in the country in recent months. US Ambassador to Poland Lee Feinstein thanked the government and the people of Poland for their “act of friendship and solidarity" in having represented Washington in Damascus since February 6.

Poland A.M.