Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle had the Syrian Embassy in Berlin notified of the expulsion of four of its employees. Speaking today (9 February) in Berlin, Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle commented on this as follows:

> “After the arrest of two persons suspected of spying for Syria, I have had four members of the Syrian Embassy in Berlin expelled. The Syrian Ambassador has been informed of this decision.”

The Syrian Ambassador had been summoned to the Federal Foreign Office on 7 February. On that occasion the Federal Government’s position that any action against members of the Syrian opposition in Germany would not be tolerated was again made clear.

The basis for the expulsion is Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The Syrian Embassy was notified of the expulsion today.