Turkish minister travels to Syria

Turkey’s foreign minister is travelling to Damascus to press the Syrian leadership into ending the violent crackdown on the five-month-old uprising.

Ahmet Davutoglu’s visit comes days after Turkey said its patience with its neighbour was running out.

Envoys from India, Brazil and South Africa are also due to arrive in the capital today to appeal for an end to the violence.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Mr Davutoglu would deliver a strong message to Damascus.

Syrian President Bashar Assad is facing increased isolation amid rising calls for him to halt military operations against demonstrators.

Turkey until recently had close ties to Damascus but has become increasingly critical of its neighbour over the bloodshed.