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12.07.12

One of Syria's top diplomats has defected to the opposition in a huge blow to President Bashar al Assad's regime.

Nawaf Fares, who was Syria's ambassador to Iraq, announced his decision in a statement on Al Jazeera television.

He called on other party colleagues to join him and defect as well, as he believes the regime has transformed into a tool to oppress the Syrian people.

Meanwhile diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis are continuing, with Western nations pressing the UN to threaten tough sanctions against the country.