Turkish Foreign Minister Heads to Syria

Turkey's foreign minister has left for Damascus to press the Syrian leadership into ending the violent crackdown of the five-month old uprising.

Ahmet Davutoglu's visit on Tuesday comes days after Turkey said its patience with its neighbor was running out. Envoys from India, Brazil and South Africa are also slated to arrive in Damascus on Tuesday to appeal for an end to the violence.

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

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 neighbor over the bloodshed.