26 civilians killed in Syria on Friday: Observatory

Feb 18, 2012 |

Damascus

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At least 26 civilians were killed in Syria on Friday as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to demand President Bashar al-Assad's ouster, a watchdog said.

"The toll of martyrs from Popular Resistance Friday has reached 26 civilians," the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, adding that protests spread to several previously calm areas of Damascus and of the second-largest city, Aleppo.

Thousands of Syrians rallied for Bashar al-Assad's ouster, as the embattled president's forces unleashed their heaviest pounding yet of Homs in a brutal bid to crush dissent, monitors said.

The protesters emerged from mosques after the main weekly Muslim prayers, including in Damascus, following a call by Internet-based activists for a rally for a ‘new phase of popular resistance’.

"Get out! Get out!" they chanted at gatherings across the unrest-swept country, according to YouTube videos.

"We want revenge against Bashar and Maher," some shouted, in reference to the president's brother, who heads the feared Fourth Armoured Division.

Activists said the scattered protests were among the most widespread in Damascus of the 11-month uprising against the Assad regime inspired by the Arab awakening.

The protesters turned out after the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly backed an Arab League initiative calling on Assad to step aside, and ahead of a visit by a Chinese envoy pushing for peace.

Assad, in remarks to visiting Mauritanian Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdaf, said reforms have to be synchronised with a ‘return to peace’.

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