Western countries expel Syrian ambassadors

Britain’s foreign ministry has said the UK is expelling three Syrian diplomats over at least 100 civilian deaths in a government-led massacre in Syria's central town of Houla. Government sources in Germany have also reported that Berlin is expelling its Syrian ambassador, while French president Francois Hollande announced it was doing the same earlier on Tuesday. Australia also decided to ask Syria's ambassador to Canberra to pack their bags. Italy and Canada have also followed suit, while the US and Spain are expected to do the same. Hollande told reporters in Paris on Tuesday that the ambassador would leave "today or tomorrow." He gave no other details. The Syrian embassy in Paris could not immediately be reached for comment. The announcement came amid increasing diplomatic efforts to end the bloodshed in Syria and put pressure on Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Activists claim over 13,000 people have been killed since an uprising against the Assad regime that began last year has faced a brutal crackdown by government forces.