Turkey evacuates non-essential personnel from Syria: agency

Turkey today ordered the evacuation of non-essential diplomatic personnel from Syria after protestors attacked the Turkish embassy and consulates in the country, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Turkey on Sunday ordered the evacuation of non-essential diplomatic personnel from Syria after protestors attacked the Turkish embassy and consulates in the country, the Anatolia news agency reported.

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Diplomats' families will also be evacuated under the decision, made amid growing security concerns following the attacks late Saturday, diplomats told Anatolia.

A Turkish Airlines plane flew to Damascus early Sunday to pick up the staff and family members, it added.

Ambassador Omer Onhon and diplomatic staff will stay on in Syria, it said.

Thousands of protestors attacked Turkey's diplomatic missions in Syria on Saturday night, furious over Ankara's support for an Arab League decision to suspend the country.

Simultaneous protests took place in Damascus and the northern cities of Latakia and Aleppo, where protesters managed to break into the consulte building, Anatolia said.