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Summary Egypt said Sunday it was withdrawing its ambassador to Syria.
Egypt is latest Arab country to scale back its relations with the embattled regime in Damascus.The 11-month-old Syrian uprising began with mostly peaceful protests in a number of the countrys impoverished provinces. As security forces allegedly suppressed them, the protest grew and escalated into an increasingly armed insurrection.Syria has faced mounting international condemnation over its crackdown on protesters, including harsh sanctions and political isolation.Egypts decision follows moves by Tunisia, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab nations to reduce ties with Damascus.Egypts move comes as Homs, a central Syrian city which has seen some of the most intense fighting in the uprising, comes under renewed shelling from government troops, according to activists.The Egyptian state news agency MENA said that Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr decided Sunday during a meeting with Ambassador Shukri Ismael to keep the envoy in Cairo until further notice.--AP
