The Spanish government has decided to suspend the activity of its embassy in Syria, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said on Tuesday.
Garcia-Margallo said Spain’s decision was in protest against the Syrian authorities’ actions that resulted in thousands of civilian deaths.
Syria has been the scene of continuous anti-government protests for nearly a year. According to the United Nations, more than 7,500 people have died in the unrest, which Syrian President Bashar al-Assad blames on "armed terrorist gangs."
The foreign minister also said two embassy officials will continue working as part of the European Union’s mission in Damascus.
Spain recalled its ambassador from Syria on February 7 for consultations over the escalation of violence in the country.
Britain, France, the United States and Canada have already shut down their embassies in the Syrian capital.
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt have also recalled their ambassadors from Syria.
