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The Syrian army crackdown continues. Muallem prohibits movement of diplomats
The infamous Fourth Division has surrounded Harasta, a suburb of Damascus, cutting electricity, water and telephone lines. The foreign minister announces a ban on ambassadors travelling more than 25 km from the capital.
Beirut (AsiaNews) - The Syrian army’s repression of popular protests continues: Fourth Division troops have surrounded Harasta, a suburb of Damascus, while raids are underway in Homs, scene of massive demonstrations in recent days.
Local witnesses in Harasta report what have become signs of an approaching attack, cut electricity and water supplies and telephone lines cut off.
The regime is worried about containing information on the events: Foreign Minister Walid Muallem has published a ban on all diplomats travelling more than 25 kilometres from Damascus without permission. The ban was triggered after the visit on July 7 to Hama by the ambassadors of the United States and France, Robert Ford and Eric Chevalier. "We will not expel the two ambassadors - the minister added - because we hope to have better relations with each of these in the future. Hopefully - Muallem ominously concluded – we will not to be forced to impose the ban by force. "
What particularly concerns citizens of Harasta is the fact that the town is surrounded by the Fourth Division. The corps, commanded by the brother of President Bashar al-Assad, Maher, was accused of trying to hide the bodies of victims of the massacres of Deraa, the city-symbol of protest, in mass graves.
Today, meanwhile, the pro-government Al-Watan newspaper gives news of arrests of "armed men" in Homs. Where they found the usual large quantities of weapons and ammunition.