Helene Laverdiere: Country

President Bashar Assad Dept: NDP foreign affairs critic Helene Laverdiere urged the government to recall the envoy because she said it would send a strong message to Assad, who has waged a bloody 11-month crackdown in his country that has left thousands dead. A Syrian military offensive against people in the city of Homs has entered its third straight day, according to The Chronicle Herald. "It s not a question of cutting diplomatic ties completely," Laverdiere said Monday. "Our position does not go as far as that of the United States." OTTAWA The official Opposition wants Canada s ambassador recalled from Syria, but the government says he will stay in the besieged country to blast President Bashar Assad for his attacks on domestic dissenters. The Obama administration closed the U.S. embassy in Damascus on Monday and recalled all diplomatic staff. Britain recalled its ambassador to Syria and expressed its disgust over the situation. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.