The American ambassador to Damascus, Robert Ford, was trapped in offices belonging to the Syrian opposition after pro government protesters surrounded the building Thursday, Al Arabiya television reported. He and fellow diplomats were reportedly visiting a Syrian opposition politician when their vehicle was attacked.
"Two embassy cars were damaged," a witness told Reuters. "The U.S. delegation is still there and the crowd is surrounding the building."
Ford angered the Assad regime with his July visit to the central city of Hama.
On its part, Syria accused the United States on Thursday of inciting violence against its security forces and said it would confront what it described as attempts to interfere in its domestic affairs. "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," a Foreign Ministry statement said.
