EU's Ashton Vows to Maintain Syria Diplomatic Presence

Foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said Friday she will maintain the European Union's diplomatic presence in Damascus regardless of decisions taken by member states on their own needs.

"The issue of diplomatic representation in the country is of course under constant review by the member states, but there is no common line at this time," said Ashton's spokesman Michael Mann.

"Some countries have withdrawn their ambassadors, others have elected to keep them in Syria. The High Representative will maintain the EU's delegation in Damascus," he said.

Ashton spelled out her plans for the European External Action Service ahead of talks among European Union foreign ministers next week which various sources said will discuss "possible closures of the EU embassies in Syria".

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will join the talks on Thursday and brief EU counterparts on "the political dialogue between the government (in Damascus) and the political opposition" as well as the latest diplomatic initiatives on Iran and the Middle East peace process, another source said.

The United Nations Security Council has failed to agree on resolutions condemning the year-long repression in Syria in which more than 8,000 people have been killed, according to the U.N.

Two draft resolutions were blocked by Russia and China, two permanent members of the Security Council with veto powers.