India, South Africa, Brazil envoys head to Syria

UNITED NATIONS — Envoys from India, Brazil and South Africa are heading to Syria to appeal for an end to the violent crackdown and to promote democratic reforms.

India’s U.N. Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri said his country’s representative is scheduled to arrive in Damascus on Tuesday and will join representatives from Brazil and South Africa for a meeting with Syria’s foreign minister to deliver the appeal.

Puri told reporters Monday the three countries will be “calling for restraint, abjuring violence, (and) promoting reform, taking into account the democratic aspirations of the people.”

Separately, Turkey, until recently a close Syrian ally and major trade partner, said it is sending its foreign minister to Damascus on Tuesday to deliver a strong message against the crackdown.