Syrian security forces have shot dead at least 16 people during protests demanding the fall of President Bashar al Assad's regime, activists said.
Tens of thousands of people took part in rallies across the country, defying the leader's military crackdown. The worst violence was in Homs, where activists said eight protesters were killed and state television said a policeman was killed by gunmen.
One person was also reportedly killed in Syria's largest city of Aleppo, the first protester to die there since unrest erupted in the south of the country in March.
Witnesses claimed two people were killed in Harasta, a suburb of the capital Damascus.
Another two protesters were reportedly shot dead in the eastern city of Deir al Zor whilst trying to tear down posters of President Assad and his father.
Friday Muslim prayers have provided a platform for the biggest protests in the three-month uprising, inspired by revolts which have overthrown the leaders of Egypt and Tunisia.
The latest demonstrations took place in areas including the southern province of Deraa, the city of Hama north of Damascus, and suburbs of the capital itself.
They came just days after the military retook the rebellious town of Jisr al Shughour and sent thousands of refugees streaming across the nearby border into Turkey.
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