Canadians urged to leave Syria

With a month-long uprising turning even bloodier, the federal government is urging Canadians in Syria to leave that country while they still can.

The call comes as another dozen people were killed Saturday as Syrian security forces fired on mourners at a mass funerals in Damascus and surrounding areas.

The mourners had been calling for the end of the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, who became leader in 2000 after the death of his father.

This past week has seen an eruption of violence in the country, which borders Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea.

Friday was by far the bloodiest day in over a month of demonstrations to demand political freedoms and an end to corruption, with at least 100 people killed, according to reports.

It came despite the president’s move to repeal his country’s emergency law, which has been in place since his Baath Party seized power 48 years ago.

On its website Saturday, Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs said it is warning Canadians against any travel to Syria due to the volatility there.

“Canadians in Syria should consider leaving by commercial means while these are still available,” the statement said.

Travellers were urged to be extremely vigilant, and avoid political gatherings, crowds and demonstrations.

“Canadians requiring emergency assistance should contact the Embassy of Canada in Damascus,” the statement said.

With files from Agence France-Presse and Reuters