İn damascus, Davutoglu holds talks with officials from syria, Hamas

A delegation led by Ahmet Davutoglu, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's chief foreign policy adviser, yesterday proceeded to Syria from Egypt as part of Turkey's diplomatic efforts to push for an immediate cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. After meetings with officials from Syria and Hamas, and Davutoglu's talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, the delegation was reportedly optimistic about a possible cease-fire. After its contacts in Syria, the delegation returned to Egypt, where it will reportedly continue to meet with Egyptian and Palestinian officials.