Greens says more Syria sanctions needed

30 May 2012, 1:47 pm   -   Source: AAP

The Greens want additional sanctions against Syria, after the Australian government expelled two diplomats and other western countries followed suit.

The Australian Greens have called for additional sanctions against Syria following the federal government's expulsion of two diplomats in the wake of the massacre in the Syrian town of Houla.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr on Tuesday announced Syrian Charge d'Affairs Jawdat Ali and another diplomat had been given 72 hours to leave Australia.

Greens MP Adam Bandt on Wednesday said the minor party welcomed the decision.

"It is something we called for quite some time ago, and the government has done the right thing," he said.

The next step was to invoke additional sanctions, he said.

He suggested Australia lobby Russia and China "to join in significant sanctions at the UN level".

Following Senator Carr's announcement, the US gave Syria's most senior envoy in Washington, the charge d'affaires at the Syrian Embassy, 72 hours to leave the United States.

Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria are also expelling Syrian diplomats.

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