Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held a phone conversation with his British counterpart William Hague on Wednesday night.

Former Pakistan Foreign Secretary Shahryar Khan and ex-Indian diplomat S K Lambah, the point men for India- Pakistan back-channel diplomacy, are to meet in Dubai on Thursday to ease tensions and draw a planned meeting between the premiers of the two countries.

Russia is sending two warships to the east Mediterranean, but Moscow denied this meant it was beefing up its naval force there as Western powers prepare for military action against Syria. Any strengthening of the navy’s presence could fuel tension, especially as the United States has said it is