Foreign Office urges Britons to flee Syria

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Get out now: William Hague's Foreign Office have today issued new advice to Britons in Syria as he condemned the state's latest crackdown on opponentsThe Foreign Office urged British nationals to flee Syria yesterday, in the wake of the latest unrest in the country.
Britons were advised to get out while commercial flights were still available following the 'rapid deterioration' n the security situation.As the hardline government of Bashar al-Assad continued its bloody crackdown, the Foreign Office warned that it may not be able to provide diplomatic support to UK citizens for much longer.More than 300 people have been killed including more than 120 on Friday and Saturday since an uprising against Assads regime began five weeks ago. Some 500 British passport holders in Syria have contacted their embassy in Damascus to register their presence in recent days.But diplomats fear the country will soon go into lockdown.In updated travel advice, the Foreign Office warned: Given the situation on the ground, it is highly unlikely that the British Embassy would be able to provide a normal consular service in the event of a further breakdown of law and order and increased violent civil disorder.Foreign Secretary William Hague added: I advise all British nationals in Syria to leave the country, unless they have a pressing need to remain. The Syrian authorities must act quickly and decisively to calm this dangerous situation and can only do so by responding to thelegitimate demands of the Syrian people.

Mourners carry a coffin in Barzah, Syria. Syrian forces killed at least 12 people on Saturday when they fired on mourners calling for the end of President Bashar al-Assad's ruleMr Hague has ordered plans to be drawn up that would allow Britain tomou! nt an ai rlift and evacuate those British citizens who remain. Officials have been told they must not be caught on the hop, as they were when scheduled airlines suspended flights to Libya on that occasion, there was a 48-hour farce as the Government rushed to organisecharter flights. A Foreign Office source said: Contingency plans have been drawn up for all eventualities. We are talking to all our international partners.

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This includes the neighbouring countries Turkey and Jordan, as well as other Middle Eastern states monitoring the situation in Syria. Yesterday another civilian was shot dead in Jabla and thousands were said to have called for the overthrow of Assad during a funeral for protesters killed in the southern town of Nawa. Security forces were also accused of kidnapping dozens of opposition figures in a series of night-time raids.
The Foreign Office has opened a 24-hour telephone helpline for British Nationals. In Syria you should dial 011 373 8299, or from the UK +44 (0)207 008 6900. British nationals resident in or visiting Syria are being encouraged to register with the Foreign Office using their LOCATE service, by telephone to the helpline or by e-mail (British.EmbassyDamascus-ConsularEnquiries@fco.gov.uk).

Sign of the times: A man holds a banner that reads 'The revolution continues', in the Syrian city of Homs