Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has instructed the foreign minister to recall the Indonesian ambassador to Syria for communication and consultation on the safety of Indonesian nationals in the conflict-torn country.

"Based on the president`s instruction, we have asked our ambassador in Damascus to return to Jakarta," Minister Marty said at the presidential complex here on Thursday.

A similar instruction was also issued several months ago, he said.

"It reflects our concern about what is happening in Syria," he said.

The Indonesian embassy in Syria has been communicating with Indonesian nationals there and continued monitoring the safety of its citizens.

Saudi Arabia also urged its citizens Tuesday to quickly leave Syria to avoid getting caught in a military crackdown on months of popular protests, Reuters reported quoting the Saudi state news agency`s report on November 29.

"The foreign ministry renewed its warning to citizens currently in Syria to leave swiftly and asked those planning trips there not to travel now due to the unrest witnessed in the Syrian arena," the agency said.

The appeal came two days after the Arab League decided to impose sanctions on the government of President Bashar al-Assad over its refusal to allow monitors to enter the country to monitor rights abuses.

Saudi Arabia has taken a leading role among Arab states in condemning Assad`s use of troops and tanks to crush street unrest. In August King Abdullah urged Syria to end bloodshed and recalled his country`s ambassador from Damascus.
(Uu.F001/HAJM/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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