BRIEFS Americans advised to leave Syria
The United States urged Americans to avoid all but essential travel to Syria and asked Americans already there to consider leaving the country amid deadly political unrest
"We urge US citizens to defer non-essential travel Syria at this time
"US citizens currently in Syria should consider departing" the State Department said.
President Bashar al-Assad is facing domestic pressure unprecedented in his 11-year rule.
-Agence France- Presse