Two more generals have fled Syria and linked up with rebels trying to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Damascus, a Turkish diplomat said on Monday.

The latest defections mean a total of nine generals have reportedly deserted since the revolt against Assad's rule erupted a year ago, many of them seeking refuge in neighbouring Turkey.

In addition, around 500 more Syrians crossed into Turkey since Sunday, bringing the total number of refugees to 16,446, the same official added on condition of anonymity.

"The generals arrived Friday and nearly 500 other people, most of them women and children, have crossed over since yesterday", the official told AFP.

Turkey, once a close ally of Syria, has been at the forefront of international criticism of the deadly crackdown on protestors and has become the main haven for opposition groups and rebel fighters.

No Russian warships in Syria: ministry
Moscow (AFP) March 19, 2012 - Russia has no warships in Syria, the defence ministry said Monday, denying Arab television reports.

A Russian tanker has been in the Syrian port of Tartus for the last 10 days, but "no warship is on mission in Syria", the ministry said quoted by Russian news agency reports.

The television reports had spoken of "Russian special forces" arriving in Tartus.

"The tanker Iman has been in the port of Tartus for 10 days to guarantee the supply of ships of the Black Sea fleet that secure the Gulf of Aden against pirates," said the ministry.

The Iman crew is made up of civilians and a unit that provides for its security, it added.

Tartus is the only base used by Russia, a longtime ally of Syria's regime, in the Mediterranean.