Egypt on Sunday recalled its ambassador to Syria as Arab states mount pressure on Damascus over its crackdown on dissent that has left thousands dead.
Foreign Minister Mohammad Amr said "it was decided that the ambassador will remain in Cairo until further notice," ministry spokesman Amr Rushdi said in a statement.
The decision follows the withdrawal by several Arab and European countries of their envoys from Syria as the authorities continue to crush anti-regime protests.
Hundreds of people took part in a demonstration outside the Syrian embassy in Cairo on Friday to protest the 11 months of bloodshed in Syria.
