Air France cancels Paris-Damascus flight

Air France has cancelled its Paris-Damascus flight because of unrest linked to ongoing protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, but has so far not said if other flights during the week will be affected. 

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The plane's return flight from Damascus, scheduled to land in Paris on Tuesday, has also been cancelled.

"Flight AF-570 is cancelled because of the situation in Syria," a spokesman told the French news agency requesting anonymity. “Air France has not yet taken a decision over the two other flights scheduled for this week. We are watching the situation in the country very closely.”

On Friday, France announced it was closing its embassy in Damascus as violence escalates in Syria.

The United Nations estimates than 7,500 people have died since the revolt against the regime began almost a year ago.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Monday it is still awaiting permission from the Syrian authorities to enter Baba Amr, the rebellious district of Homs overrun last week by regime forces.

A seven-truck aid convoy has been waiting since Friday to enter Baba Amr which fleeing residents say is facing an acute humanitarian crisis.

The authorities say the relief agencies are being barred for their own safety due to the presence of bombs and landmines.

But Syrian anti-regime activists say the authorities are keeping the groups out in order to buy time to hide their "crimes."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has demanded unconditional humanitarian access to Syrian cities, saying there were "grisly" reports of summary executions and torture in Homs, Syria's third largest city in the centre of the country.