Launching a diplomatic effort, India, Brazil and South Africa are sending a team of their representatives to Syria today to appeal to the authorities to end the violent crackdown on anti-government protesters and implement democratic reforms. Indian envoy to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri said that the Indian representative along with the envoys of Brazil and South Africa will meet Syrian Foreign Minister Feysel Mekdad. The UN Security Council, whose presidency for the month of August is with India; had in a Presidential statement last week condemned the widespread violations of human rights and the use of force against civilians by the Syrian authorities. The statement called for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to report to Council members tomorrow on the latest situation. Ban voiced his concern to the Syrian President over the escalating violence in the Arab country, urging him to immediately stop the use of military force against civilians. The violent crackdown in Syria has drawn sharp criticism from world leaders, who have asked President Bashar al-Assad to immediately stop the use of military force against civilians.