Egypt won't send ambassador back to Syria

CAIRO, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Egypt said Sunday it would not send its ambassador to Syria back to Damascus amid continuing battles between rebels and government forces.

The Foreign Ministry said the decision was made by Foreign Minister Mohammed Mohamed Amr following a meeting with the envoy, who was in Cairo for consultations.

A ministry statement said the ambassador would remain in Cairo "until further notice."

BikyaMasr.com said the move came after a demonstration outside the Syrian Embassy in Cairo drew hundreds of protesters. The marchers had demanded Egypt recall its ambassador and kick the Syrian representative out of the country.

There was no word on whether Egypt would expel the Syrian ambassador or formally break relations with Damascus.