Beirut - Syrian authorities have asked the staff of the American school and cultural centre in Damascus to leave Syria within 48 hours, Lebanese radio reported Monday.

A week ago, Damascus ordered the closure of the facilities, in what appeared to be a response to a US commando raid inside Syria on October 26.

Syria says four helicopters attacked a building near its border with Iraqi, killing eight people. Washington has not formally acknowledged the raid, but US officials say the target was a top al- Qaeda figure in Iraq.

The school and the cultural centre, which are linked to the US embassy, serve a small American community and other foreign residents in the Syrian capital.

On Sunday, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said his country may resort to more "painful" measures if the United States does not give an official explanation for the raid. He did not elaborate. (dpa)