Syrian forces open fire on protesters

Thousands took to the streets once again in Syria to show their displeasure with the continuing regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Five people were injured when security forces opened fire on a protest in the town of Zabadani, near the Lebanese border, and sounds of gunfire were also reported in the city of Homs.

The reports suggest there has been no respite for protesters, who have faced brutal crackdowns in Syria. The UN estimates around 850 people have been killed since protests began in Syria, inspired by popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

Security forces also opened fire on two protests in the eastern tribal province of Deir al-Zor. In the city of Albu Kamal on the Iraqi border, protesters burned pictures of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, whose speech in Beirut this week in support of President Assad infuriated demonstrators.

Pictures also came in of protests in Banias (above left) and Qamishli.

‘Downfall of the regime’

In Rastan town, near Homs, around 30,000 demonstrators chanted “Downfall of the regime!” and “We don’t love you [President Assad]!”, a witness reported.

International media are barred from Syria, so reports and accounts are hard to verify.

The renewed protests, following Friday prayers in Syria, came as the G8 leaders, meeting in Deauville, pledged $20bn in aid to Tunisia and Egypt and suggested there could be more money available to help the Arab Spring revolutionaries develop new democratic countries.

The leaders said they were “appalled” by the killing of peaceful protesters opposed to the Assad regime in Syria, and demanded authorities stop using force against them.

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