A US congressional panel has described the killing of Armenians by Turkish forces during World War I as genocide despite White House objections. The resolution was narrowly approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.<br/><br/>Turkey, a key U.S ally, responded by recalling its ambassador in Washington for consultations. It has fiercely opposed the non-binding resolution. The White House had warned that the vote would harm reconciliation talks between Turkey and Armenia.<br/><br/>The resolution calls on President Barack Obama to ensure that U.S foreign policy reflects an understanding of the genocide and to label the World War I killings as such in his annual statement on the issue. It was approved by 23 votes to 22 by the committee.<br/><br/>Ankara has already withdrawn its ambassador from Washington for consultations in reaction to what will be seen as a significant international insult. Washington will now be working hard to limit any further diplomatic fallout.<br/><br/>