Turkey has become the latest country to close its Syrian embassy, delivering a strong message to the regime that has been condemned for its prolongued and violent crackdown on demonstrators and dissidents.

All embassy staff have been withdrawn, including the ambassador, who had been called back to Ankara before, as relations with Syria's Bashar Assad deteriorated. The consulate in Aleppo is to remain open, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Initially cautious in its criticism of traditional ally Assad, Turkey has become increasingly vocal in its condemnation of the bloodshed in Syria. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said last week that the survival of the Assad regime was "almost impossible."

"A regime fighting against its own people, trying to keep the status quo, cannot survive," he said in Vienna.

On Sunday, Turkey will host a "Friends of Syria" conference in Istanbul designed to put pressure on Damascus. It is the second such meeting of Western and Arab countries.

The United States, some EU members and the six Arab monarchies of the Gulf have also closed their embassies in Syria.

Russia supports Annan

On Sunday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev voiced strong support for UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's peace mission in Syria.

"This may be the last chance for Syria to avoid a long-lasting and bloody civil war," Medvedev told Annan at a meeting at the Moscow airport. He promised Annan "full support at any level."

Medvedev also said he hoped Annan's efforts would have "a positive outcome."

Russia has so far blocked two resolutions against Syria in the UN Security Council.

ng/tm (Reuters, AFP)