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Syrians Throw Eggs at US Ambassador

He was on his way to meet an opposition leader

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 29, 2011 9:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – An angry crowd of Bashar al-Assad supporters pelted US ambassador to Syria Robert Ford with tomatoes and eggs today on his way to meet with opposition leader Hassan Abdul-Azim, opposition activists tell the AP. Once Ford was inside Abdul-Azim’s office, the mob stormed the building, trying to break the locks and get in. Abdul-Azim’s staff kept them out, but Ford was trapped within for three hours, until Syrian security forces arrived to escort him to back to the US embassy. "Now that security forces are here, I believe his life is not in danger," Abdul-Azim said.

The incident is a symptom of Ford’s worsening relationship with the Assad regime, which has accused him of inciting protests, according to the BBC. “Recent statements from American administration officials... clearly indicate that the United States is involved in encouraging armed groups to practice violence against the Syrian Arab Army,” one recent Foreign Ministry statement said.

Syrian policemen guard the entrance to Hassan Abdul-Azim's office, after supporters of Bashar al-Assad pelted US Ambassador Robert Ford with eggs and tomatoes as he entered it, Sept. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi)

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Syrians Throw Eggs at US Ambassador

He was on his way to meet an opposition leader

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Syria • ambassador • Bashar al-Assad • North Africa unrest • Arab protests • Robert Ford • Syria protests • Arab Spring • Syrian uprising

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