British police beat back protesters storming Syrian Embassy

LONDON—Demonstrators have stormed six Syrian embassies in Europe and the Middle East after Syrian forces reportedly killed more than 200 people in the city of Homs.

British police used batons to beat back protesters attempting to storm the Syrian Embassy in London for a second time after they successfully broke in early Saturday. The crowd broke several of the embassy’s windows during the melee.

Police said six people were arrested in the initial assault on the building, while another six were arrested hours later when demonstrators chanting “We want to close the embassy” kicked down barriers and rushed the building.

A similar scene played out in Athens before dawn, where police said 13 people — 12 Syrians and one Iraqi national — were detained after forcing their way into the Syrian Embassy before dawn.

In Germany, 20 people forced their way into Syria’s Embassy in Berlin on Friday and damaged offices there, police said.

Syrian protesters in Cairo set part of the embassy on fire Friday night, while protesters in Kuwait broke windows at the embassy and hoisted the opposition flag. The Kuwait news agency said a number of security personnel were hurt in scuffles.

Some 300 Syrian exiles and Libyan supporters also occupied the Syrian Embassy in Tripoli and hung the Syrian opposition’s flag on the gate. Anas el-Khalidi, a member of the revolutionary National Council in Libya, said the opposition plans to begin operating out of the embassy building, which has been vacant since the staff fled during the civil war that led to the ouster and killing of Moammar Gadhafi in October.

Syria’s government has denied the assault on Homs, calling news reports about it part of a “hysterical campaign” of incitement by armed groups against Syria.

After protesters gathered force Saturday afternoon in London, police brought in sandbags and riot gear to regain control of the surging crowd at the embassy. Britain’s Foreign Office condemned the initial break-in, which police said drew around about protesters.

Britain’s Foreign Office said it takes seriously its obligations to protect foreign embassies and their employees, and that police are reviewing security arrangements at the Syrian Embassy in light of Saturday’s events.

Meanwhile, the Mounties are investigating after the Syrian embassy in Ottawa was splashed with red paint.

RCMP Const. Julie Morel says it’s unclear exactly when the paint — which is splattered over the embassy’s front entrance — appeared.

An anti-Syrian government protest took place in front of the embassy earlier today, but police say it was peaceful and there is no apparent link between the event and the vandalism.

With a file from The Canadian Press

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