You're reading: France recalls ambassador to Syria

PARIS (AP) — France's government said Wednesday it is recalling its ambassador to Syria and closing consular and cultural posts there amid new violence threatening the regime of President Bashar Assad.

France, Syria’s former colonial ruler, has been increasingly critical of Assad’s regime in recent weeks, urging him to step down, pressing for tough international sanctions, and meeting with opposition figures.

Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said Syria’s regime is being "obstinate."

"Renewed violence has taken place in Syria, which has led me to close our consular posts in Aleppo and Latakia, our cultural institutes, and to recall our ambassador to Paris," Juppe told the lower house of parliament.

"The vise is tightening around this completely autistic regime which is continuing its bloody repression. I’m convinced the Syrian people will keep up their fight and France will continue to do everything possible to help," he said.

Ambassador Eric Chevallier, contacted by The Associated Press by mobile phone, said he "was aware" he has been ordered back but declined to provide details. He deferred all questions about the reasons to his ministry.

In recent months, Chevallier has become a target of supporters of Syria’s government, who have pelted him with stones and eggs because of France’s hardening position against the crackdown.

The move comes about three weeks after the United States quietly pulled its ambassador, Robert Ford, out of Syria, saying his support for the opposition put him in grave danger and he had received personal threats.

During his stint there, Ford also was pelted with eggs, his residence was attacked by vandals, and the regime branded him a dangerous provocateur.