Up to 12 people have reportedly been killed during funeral services for pro-democracy protesters in the Syrian capital of Damascus.
Witnesses say pall bearers abandoned coffins and ran for cover after mourners at the mass funeral came under fire.
Yesterday, 88 people were killed by Syrian security forces during anti-government demonstrations.
It is reported that tens of thousands of people have turned out throughout the country for the funerals, and that anti-government chants were heard.
US President Barack Obama has called for a halt to the violence in Syria, which he termed ‘outrageous’ and condemned ‘in the strongest possible terms’.
Yesterday's killings came as thousands rallied across the country a day after a decades-long state of emergency was lifted.
It was the highest death toll in five weeks of unrest against President Bashar al-Assad and his ruling regime.
Mr Obama also accused Syria of seeking Iranian help to quell weeks of unrest.
Amnesty International said two young boys were among those killed by security forces yesterday during what were largely peaceful demonstrations.
Malcolm Smart, a director with the organisation, said it was time the international community put pressure on the Syrian government as it clamps down on demonstrations across the country.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon joined in the condemnation of the Syrian government for the killing of scores of demonstrators and renewed calls for a ‘transparent’ independent investigation.
‘The secretary-general condemns the ongoing violence against peaceful demonstrators in Syria, which again has killed and injured many today, and calls for it to stop immediately,’ said UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq.
Mr Ban said President Assad's government must ‘respect international human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as the freedom of the press.’
He also repeated his demand for an ‘independent, transparent and effective investigation into the killings,’ added the spokesman.
Mr Ban noted measures such as the lifting of a decades-old state of emergency in Syria but stressed that ‘only an inclusive dialogue and the effective implementation of reforms can address the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people and ensure social peace and order.’
