The Syrian regime faced a chorus of global reproach Tuesday, August 9, as envoys from Turkey, India, Brazil and South Africa headed to Damascus to press President Bashar Assad to end his violent crackdown on a five-month-old uprising.

The visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was significant because Turkey until recently had close ties to Damascus. But Ankara has become increasingly critical of its neighbor over the bloodshed.

Davutoglu will deliver a strong message to Damascus, Turkey's Prime Minister has said.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner lauded the visit and said Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton had spoken to Davutoglu.

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 appeal for an end to the crackdown and to promote democratic reforms, the Associated Press reported.

More than 1,700 people have been killed since March, according to activists and human rights groups.