He says Moscow appears to be sending a signal to the Syrian regime that it is putting a force into the Mediterranean that could be used to extricate Russian personnel and equipment from their naval base, should it be required.

BBC: Envoy Kofi Annan presses Iran and Iraq over Syria crisis

With Europe wiped off the map, the 150, 000 barrels per day output which used to be exported across the Mediterranean will be difficult to sell, with very significant financial repercussions for the regime - and that was before the Arab League finally decided to tighten the screws.

CNN: Syrian isolation marks regime's nadir