Germany expelled four Syrian embassy staff on Monday, the foreign ministry said, as ties between Berlin and the regime of President Bashar al-Assad worsen, dpa reported.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle called it "a clear sign that we are reducing relations with the Assad regime to an absolute minimum" as conflict rages between Syrian government troops and rebels.
The foreign ministry did not give a specific cause for the expulsion or its timing. According to diplomatic protocol, the four embassy staff have until Thursday to leave Germany.