27/07/2012 17:40
Red Cross staff would be moved from Syria
The International Committee of the Red Cross is moving some of its foreign staff out of the Syrian capital to neighbouring Lebanon.
A Red Cross spokesman in Geneva said the temporarily move was prompted by security concerns in Damascus but that a core team of about 50 staff would remain.
Hicham Hassan also said the Syrian Arab Red Crescent was suspending some of its operations in the northern city of Aleppo due to heavy fighting.
"An unstable and deteriorating situation in several parts of the country has led the ICRC to temporarily relocate some of its staff outside of Syria," ICRC spokesman Hicham Hassan said in Geneva.
Some staff would be moved over the next few days but continue to support the ICRC delegation of 50 expatriates and nationals remaining in Damascus, he told Reuters.
"They will be going back to Damascus as soon as the situation allows. A team of expatriates and nationals will continue working in Damascus."