US AND FRENCH EMBASSIES ATTACKED IN SYRIA

Not sure if it was as horrific as the Iranian assault on the US Embassy in 1979, but it's still very shocking nevertheless:

Protesters loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad briefly broke into the US embassy in Damascus on Monday, while security guards at the French embassy used live ammunition to prevent them gaining access, diplomats told Reuters.

No casualties were reported in the attacks, which followed a visit by the US and French ambassadors to the city of Hama last week in support of the hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators there despite a harsh crackdown by Assad gunmen.

Assad accused the United States - and Ambassador Robert Ford - of trying to incite the populace against his regime, also saying the US flag was flown in support of the protesters.

But State Department officials on Monday formally condemned Syria for failing to protect the US embassy complex in Damascus from a violent assault it said was encouraged by a pro-government Syrian television station.

"A television station that is heavily influenced by Syrian authorities encouraged this violent demonstration," the State Department said in a statement.

Am I noticing correctly, or are they still being naive? Do they really expect the Assad regime to comply with their wishes now that Syria's dictatorship has really sunk to extremes? But if anything's clear, it's that the diplomats may have to evacuate - and soon.