Uprising in Syria; photo - EPA

With the unofficial death toll in Syria reaching 350 following further anti-government protests over the weekend, Poland's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement advising Poles not to travel to the Middle Eastern country.

“In view of the tense situation in Syria, the Foreign Ministry recommends that Polish citizens refrain from any trip to the country,” reads the announcement on the ministry's official internet web site.

The statement also advises Poles already resident in Syria “to take special caution in public places,” notably avoiding demonstrations and gatherings around mosques.

Anti-government dissidents have used mosques as gathering places, and a number of the recent shootings of civilians have occurred in the vicinity of houses of worship.

Syria has been under Emergency Law since 1962. However, inspired by waves of protest in Egypt and Libya, increasingly vocal calls for reform emerged from late January onwards.

President Bashar-al-Assad has held power since 2000, succeeding his father Hafez-al-Assad, who himself ruled Syria for close to thirty years. (nh)