The United States Tuesday suspended operations of the Syrian Embassy in Washington D.C. and two other consulates telling diplomats and staff who are not U.S. citizens to leave the country.<br /> <br />U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the time has come.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING:<br /> <br />"140,000 people killed, more than 10,000 children. Millions of refugees, millions of displaced people. People attacked by their own government with gas. People tortured and killed by the thousands."<br /> <br />The U.S. says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is responsible for atrocities against Syrians.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY SAYING:<br /> <br />"We just felt that the idea that this embassy is sitting here with representation, that we could take seriously, is an insult. And we closed it. It's that simple.<br /> <br />The timing poses problems for one man hoping to head to Syria. r<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) CANADIAN CITIZEN SHESH WALLACE
