Australia has upgraded its travel warning for Syria, as president Bashar al-Assad blamed conspirators for unrest sweeping Syria and defied expectations that he would lift the country's decades-old emergency law. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has asked Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Syria because of the risk of further violence. It said further protests and violent clashes are possible in any part of Syria and Australians in Syria should avoid all protests and large gatherings as they may turn violent.