Hague: We are fully committed to diplomacy in Syria

Foreign secretary William Hague announces that, despite the withdrawal of diplomats from Syria, he is still fully supportive of peace efforts:

"We will continue to work closely with other nations to coordinate diplomatic and economic pressure on the Syrian regime through the Friends of Syria group and the European Union, building on the new EU sanctions agreed on 27 February which will restrict further the regime’s sources of revenue.

"We will give full support to former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in his role as the joint Special Envoy to Syria for the UN and the Arab League.

"And we will also continue to work with the Syrian National Council, to encourage a more united and representative Syrian opposition and the vision of a peaceful, multiethnic and more democratic Syria."