BASSEM MROUE
Associated Press= BEIRUT (AP) — A human rights group says Syrian security forces have killed 16 people during widespread protests.
Thousands of protesters held rallies Friday in major areas across the country, including the capital, Damascus, and its suburbs.
Ammar Qurabi is the head of the National Organization for Human Rights in Syria. He says the death toll has risen to 16 people nationwide.
The protesters turned out despite a bloody crackdown on the seven-week-old uprising against President Bashar Assad’s autocratic regime.
More than 565 civilians and 100 soldiers have been killed since thee uprising began in March, according to rights groups.
Later News speak of 26 dead civilians and 10 dead police and other government officers.