Italy Recalls Ambassador from Syria

Italy has recalled its ambassador in Syria for consultation given the "horrible repression against the civilian population," the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

"The Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has given instructions for our ambassador in Damascus, Achille Amerio, to return to Italy for consultations," the ministry said in a statement.

"Italy has also proposed that all ambassadors from countries within the European Union be recalled from Damascus," it added.

On Sunday, Italy called for an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn the Syrian military's attack on protests.

"We request that the United Nations Security Council hold an urgent meeting and adopt a very firm position," Frattini said, adding that Italy called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities."