The previously warm ties between the neighbours appear close to breaking point, and Assad's envoy, Hassan Turkmani, is likely to face Turkish impatience over Syria's repressive tactics and slowness to reform, as well as anger over a burgeoning humanitarian crisis. Assad asked to send an emissary when he called Mr Erdogan on Tuesday to congratulate him on winning a third term in office. Mr Erdogan, who had a close rapport with Assad, had said before his re-election that, once the election was over, he would be talking to Assad in a "very different manner", and expressed revulsion over repression being used against the Syrian people. A Turkish official said the Turkish leadership would give Assad's emissary the same message. Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu yesterday toured one of the Syrian refugee camps in Turkey's Hatay province. Erdogan has called Assad several times since unrest first broke out in Syria three months ago, each time urging reforms and an end to the violence.