A TV grab taken from Al Arabiya channel on 31 July 2011 shows flames rising next to a military vehicle, at an unspecified location in Syria. Photo by BGNES
Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry has warned the country's citizens not to travel to Syria unless there is an emergency.
If a trip to Syria is utterly necessary, Bulgarians are advised to take all safety measures, not to appear on public places, not to communicate with protesters and to follow the instructions given by local authorities.
All Bulgarian citizens situated in Syria are advised to leave the country immediately using regular flights and all other possible means of transportation.
Damascus, Salhieh, PakistanStrBld № 8 P.O.Box 2732 is the Bulgarian Embassy to Syria's post address. Phone numbers have also been provided - 0096311 4413128, 009631144540109
The foreign ministry warns however that "given the rapidly deteriorating situation in different regions of Syria, Bulgaria's Embassy in Damascus has limited opportunities for assistance and consular protection of Bulgarian citizens."
Pressure at the United Nations and world capitals mounted Tuesday on Syria's government as a fierce security crackdown on peaceful protests overnight and into the day left dozens of deaths, injuries and arrests.
The Local Coordination Committees of Syria, an activist group, said snipers were postioned across the western city of Hama and five people were killed there later Tuesday.
Tear gas grenades and live ammunition were used against 40,000 participating in funerals for people in the Damascus suburb of Irbeen killed Monday. Protesters are responding by throwing stones?, the Local Coordination Committees said, and security forces dispersed the demonstration with bullets and fire extinguishers. There was a wave of arrests.
Overnight, at least 24 people were killed, dozens were wounded, and more than 150 people have been detained across the country after Ramadan prayers.