Morocco's communications minister says that the Syrian ambassador to this North African country has been asked to leave, according to the Associated Press.

Mustapha Khalfi told AP on Monday, July 16 that Ambassador Nabih Ismael must leave the country. He added that no decision has been made yet to withdraw Morocco's ambassador to Damascus.

Tunisia was the first Arab country to withdraw its ambassador from Syria in February to protest the harsh crackdown on the opposition.