Syrian protests

At least 26 demonstrators were killed in clashes with Syrian security forces during nationwide protests on Friday, according to rights groups, as marchers continued calls for an end to President Bashir al-Assad's authoritarian rule.

Troops and tanks were deployed in the cities of Tels and Homs. In the capital, Damascus, human rights activists said the prominent dissident opposition leader Riad Seif was arrested following Friday prayers. Seif was first jailed in 2001 and spent eight years in prison for his role in a movement demanding more political freedoms and democracy.

Meanwhile, the European Union has agreed to impose sanctions on the regime, specifically against 14 officials involved in the violent crackdown on protesters. EU ambassadors are due to meet again on Monday to discuss whether to also target President al-Assad with an assets freeze and a travel ban. Other measures under consideration include an arms embargo and a suspension of EU aid.

The latest crackdown on protesters came after government forces pulled out of the southern city of Daraa, which had been under military siege since April 25.

The US State Department earlier this week criticized the blockade of Daraa, with a reported use of tanks, arbitrary arrests as well as cuts in power and communications.

"These are, quite frankly, barbaric measures and they amount to the collective punishment of innocent civilians," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters. He said the humanitarian situation in Deraa was "quite grave."

Staying power

Amnesty International said protesters have reported to the human rights group beatings with sticks and cables and being subjected to harsh conditions, including a lack of food.

"The use of unwarranted lethal force, arbitrary detention and torture appear to be the desperate actions of a government that is intolerant of dissent and must be halted immediately," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Opponents of the Syrian regime, however, pledged to remain steadfast in their efforts, calling for permanent sit-ins across the country.

"We must continue our peaceful revolution throughout Syria until we achieve the freedom we demand," said a statement obtained by AFP from the committee coordinating the anti-government protests in a string of cities.

Meanwhile, the Syrian government has charged hundreds of people with "undermining the state," according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The charge carries a three-year prison sentence.

"Mass arrests are continuing across Syria in another violation of human rights and international conventions," said the human rights organization's Rami Abdelrahman. At least 500 people are being arrested every day on average. So far around 8,000 people have been listed as missing or arrested.

Human rights groups say that at least 600 people have been killed since the crackdown began seven weeks ago.

Author: Rob Mudge, Sabina Casagrande, Darren Mara (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Michael Knigge