A human rights organisation has said Syrian forces killed at least 63 civilians in attacks to crush pro-democracy demonstrations.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets after noon prayers yesterday in defiance of security forces determined to crush a revolt against President Bashar al-Assad's 11-year rule.
Syrian human rights group Sawasiah said 53 demonstrators were killed in the city of Hama, one in Damascus and two in the northwestern province of Idlib.
Seven people were also killed in the town of Rastan in central Syria, which has been under a military assault and a siege by tanks since Sunday.
It was one of the bloodiest days since the revolt broke out 11 weeks ago.
Security forces and snipers fired at tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in the city of Hama, where 29 years ago President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, crushed an armed Islamist revolt by killing up to 30,000 people and razing parts of the city to the ground.
Activists said at least 34 people were killed and scores wounded.
In the southern city of Deraa, where protests first broke out 11 weeks ago, hundreds defied a military curfew and held protests, chanting ‘No dialogue with killers’.
Syrian forces also opened fire on demonstrations in the eastern
city of Deir al-Zor and in Damascus' Barzeh district.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon demanded an immediate end to the ‘violent repression’ and human rights abuses by Syrian forces.
Rights groups say security forces have killed more than 1,000 civilians, provoking international outrage at President Assad's handling of the demonstrators.
Syrian authorities blame the violence on armed groups, backed by Islamists and foreign powers, and say the groups have fired on civilians and security forces alike.
Authorities have prevented most international media from operating in Syria, making it impossible to verify accounts of the violence.
