(Reuters) - The Canadian government said on Thursday it was temporarily withdrawing non-essential personnel from its embassy in Haiti, citing a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the country.

       "Global Affairs Canada is temporarily withdrawing non-essential Canadian employees as well as family members of Canadian embassy staff from Haiti," the government said in a statement, adding that essential staff will continue to support Canadians in Haiti.

       (Reporting by Bhargav Acharya in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)