Egypt recalls ambassador to Syria

 Egypt today decided to recall its ambassador to Syria amid mounting pressure on Damascus to ease the crackdown on anti-government protests which has led to the killing of hundreds of people in the last few months.

Amr Roshdi, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Egypt has recalled its ambassador to Syria.

He said the decision was taken by Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr following a meeting with the Egyptian ambassador in Damascus, Shouki Ismail, here earlier in the day.

The Egyptian ambassador to Syria will remain in Cairo until further notice.
The Egyptian decision comes following the withdrawal by several Arab and European countries of their ambassadors from Syria amid the brutal crackdown on anti-government protests.

On Wednesday the Egyptian Foreign Minister had underlined his government's policy to support "a real and peaceful change in Syria," that should begin with the immediate end to violence and with the "government responding to the aspirations of the Syrian people."

Internatiobnal human rights groups have claimed that more that 6,000 people have been killed in the country since it began a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests launched 11 months ago.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Men Revolution, a group that advocates changes to divorce and child custody laws, plans to protest against a recent decision to reestablish the National Women’s Council.

The group, which plans to protest outside the parliament tomorrow, has demanded that the government establish an alternative council for family rights and amend personal status laws.

"We demand a council for the family to restore balance to the community and return the cohesion of the family,” said Waleed Zahran, founder of the group.

Zahran said the group is calling for a council separate from the National Women’s Council, which included figures "known for their hostility toward men."

The council, founded in 2000 under a law issued by the former President Hosni Mubarak, was meant to reinforce the position of women in the country.