Syrian security forces have killed at least three people after they opened fire on protesters who rallied against the country’s ruler on the last Friday of Ramadan.
The latest bloodletting came as the UN Security Council remained divided over what measures to take against President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The protests, which took place across the country, were sparked by calls posted online urging people to rally under the banner of 'Friday of patience and determination'.
Some 15,000 are said to have marched in Al-Khalidiyeh, in the protest hub of Homs in central Syria, while huge demonstrations erupted in Deir Ezzor, in and around Damascus, in Al-Bukamal bordering Iraq, and Idlib in the northwest.
Rights activists said at least three people were killed and 25 wounded by security forces and pro-regime militiamen as protesters poured out of mosques, defying a crackdown which the UN says has killed more than 2,200 people.
The UN has been grappling for a response to Assad's crackdown on dissent but Russia and China yesterday boycotted Security Council talks on a Western proposal to impose sanctions on Mr Assad, diplomats said.
Russia, which insists on more time for Assad to carry out reforms, agreed earlier this month to back a statement condemning the violence but has refused along with China and other countries to endorse a formal resolution.
Meanwhile the ruler of energy-rich Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, upped the pressure on Syria during a visit to key Damascus ally Iran, where he called the use of force ‘fruitless.’
