The United Nations said Monday it was relocating some of its personnel in Damascus, to Beirut and Cairo, after the Syrian capital was hit by mortars by rebel forces, dpa reported.
"Most of the Damascus-based staff of the UN joint special envoy for Syria are temporarily relocated," UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said. He said those being relocated are foreigners while local Syrian workers were asked to remain home.
"This measure is taken solely for security reasons," he said without providing the number of people being flown out of Syria.
"The UN remains active to help the Syrian sides in their search for a political solution."