The FCO added that any Britons who remained in the country should “exercise caution and maintain a high level of security awareness”, making sure that they avoided large crowds and demonstrations.

Naram Omran, a spokesperson for the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, said that she felt however that most people in Syria had not been affected by the situation."Our hotel is operating as normal. We have less guests than usual, but we had British tourists until two days ago here who enjoyed walking in the Old City, and visiting the historic sites".

If the situation deteriorates, the FCO is likely to consider chartering private planes to take British nationals to safety. A spokesperson said: “We have contingency plans in place and will respond to the situation that we face. Any decisions to make changes to our travel advice as a result of changes in the situation are taken by our ministers who are kept closely in touch with what is happening in Syria. Advice to ministers is based on a security assessment and the risks posed to the safety of British nationals.”