Syrian troops 'fire on protesters'

Syrian security forces have fired on anti-government protesters in the capital Damascus and other major cities, activists say.

The demonstrations appear to be among the largest since the uprising against the government of President Bashar al-Assad began in March.

There are reports of deaths at a big protest in the centre of the capital.

The government has launched a "national dialogue", but many protesters are calling on President Assad to quit.

Protests have routinely taken place following Friday prayers.

There are reports of mass demonstrations in several locations including the cities of Homs, Deraa, Deir al-Zour and Idlib and in the Damascus neighbourhood of Qabun.

The Syrian League for the Defence of Human Rights estimated about 20,000 people were protesting in Damascus.

Spokesman Abdel Karim Rihawi said two people had been killed there and three more in Idlib.

Rami Abdel Rahman, of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said about 350,000 people had taken to the streets in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour.
Firing 'intense'

In Deraa, an activist said two people from the same family had been killed.

"All hell broke loose, the firing was intense," he told AP news agency.

The official Sana news agency reported that "armed men fired on security forces and citizens in the areas of Qabun and Rukn Eddin in Damascus".

Rami Abdel Rahman, of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said about 350,000 people had taken to the streets in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour.

International journalists have been denied access to Syria and the reports cannot be independently verified.

President Assad is trying to crush a rebellion that activists say has so far killed about 1,600 people.

The government blames the unrest on armed gangs backed by a foreign conspiracy.