THE US HAS PULLED its ambassador to Syria over security concerns following “credible threats against his personal safety”, however the deputy chief at the US Embassy in Damascus said the move was not a formal recall.

Speaking to the media today, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that Ambassador Robert Ford returned to Washington this weekend over the treats to his safety, and it is not clear when he will return to Syria.

Ford has drawn criticism from Syria over his support of peaceful protests and his vocal opposition to the government’s crackdown on dissent and demonstrations. Around 3,000 people are believed to have died in the crackdown.

The ambassador’s movements were restricted by Syrian authorities and he was recently pelted with tomatoes and eggs when visiting an opposition figure.

The US recently accused the Syrian government of using an American citizen to spy on anti-Syrian protesters in the US, a claim Syrian officials strongly denied.

Toner’s return to Syria depends on the outcome of a US assessment of “regime-led incitement” and the security situation.

- Additional reporting by the AP

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