Turkish ambassador to Syria returns home

ANKARA - Turkish Ambassador to Syria Omer Onhon and 27 other diplomatic staff arrived in Turkey's southern Mersin Port Tuesday morning, the private Dogan news agency reported.

The ambassador left Syria with a convoy of 15 cars on Monday after being recalled by his country, said Dogan, adding that they passed through Lebanon and left Beirut port at 18:00 local time (1500 GMT) Monday.

Turkish Airlines is planning to stop flights to Syria by the end of this month and refuses to accept reservations for flights to Syria after April 1, according to Dogan's report.

Turkey had suspended all diplomatic operations and services at the its embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus, Turkish semi- official Anatolia news agency reported Monday.

Turkey, once a close ally of Syria, has repeatedly called on Damascus to stop violence against civilians and has imposed on Syria a series of sanctions, including arms embargo.