BEIRUT, Lebanon — Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait recalled their ambassadors from Damascus on Monday, joining a chorus of global criticism of Syria, as Syrian forces pressed ahead with President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal crackdown on the most restive areas.
The Saudi monarch, King Abdullah, called on Mr. Assad to stop the “killing machine and end the bloodshed,” a remarkably sharp rebuke from one of the region’s most repressive countries, underscoring frustration with the rising death toll and the isolation of Mr. Assad’s government.
The diplomatic moves came as Mr. Assad replaced his defense minister with the army’s chief of staff, the Syrian state-run news agency said. The departure of Lt. Gen. Ali Habib, a longtime figure in the leadership who had served as defense minister since June 2009, marked one of the highest-level shakeups since the revolt began in March.
The news agency said he was in poor health and his condition had “deteriorated recently.” His replacement was Gen. Dawoud Rajha. Mr. Assad’s brother, Maher, and brother-in-law, Assef Shawkat, are thought to exercise power every bit as decisive as the defense minister’s.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait all recalled their ambassadors to Syria Monday over concerns about the crackdown on protestors by the Syrian government.

King  announced the decision to recall the country's Syrian ambassador in a statement read on state television, saying that "the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia demands the stoppage of the killing machine and bloodshed, and the use of reason before it is too late".

Foreign Minister  of Bahrain said that Syria should "resort to reason" and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister  called for an end to military action, saying that "no-one can accept the bloodshed." al-Sabah also said that officials from several countries in the region plan to meet in the near future to discuss Syria.

In addition to the recall of the ambassadors, diplomatic pressure increased on Syria from other fronts, with Prime Minister  of Jordan making a televised request for talks between the protestors and government, and the  issuing its first statement about the situation in Syria on Sunday, saying it is "alarmed" by events.


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