Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal has recalled the Dutch ambassador from Syria for talks. He has also summoned the Syrian ambassador in The Hague.

These moves are in reaction to the continuing violence in Syria. Many other European and Arab countries have also announced they are recalling their ambassadors.

The Dutch foreign minister wants the European Union to demand that Russia stop supplying arms to Syria.

Several opposition parties and the junior coalition party had asked Mr Rosenthal for information about the , a Russian ship reported to have carried munitions to Syria last month, after a stop-off in Cyprus.

The minister commented: