Demonstrators occupy Syrian city square in bid to bring down Assad

The Egypt-style stand-off in the central city of Homs followed funeral processions by more than 10,000 mourners for some of those killed in clashes on Sunday. A rights group put the number at 12 dead. It also brought a high-stakes challenge to security forces over whether to risk more bloodshed - and international backlash - by trying to clear the square.

In the past month, Syrian security forces in uniforms and plain clothes have launched a deadly crackdown on demonstrations, killing at least 200 people, according to human rights groups. Many Syrians also say pro-government thugs - known as Shabiha - have terrorised neighbourhoods.

In response, the government has blamed armed gangs seeking to stir up unrest for many of the killings.

Syria's foreign minister, Walid al-Moallem, was quoted by the state-run news agency SANA as telling foreign ambassadors yesterday that reforms are a "national need" but they cannot be forced through "violence, weapons, sabotage and road closures."

In a strong warning, Mr al-Moallem said authorities are facing pressures to restore "security and order" and said it could take all "suitable measures" if demonstrations persist.

Earlier in the day, at least six coffins were carried by the massive funeral procession in Homs, about 100 miles north of Damascus, said two witnesses. Security forces stayed away from the mourners in an apparent move to avoid confrontation.

After the funeral, thousands of people marched to Homs' main Sa'a Jadida Square, or the New Clock Square, where they chanted "people want to bring down the regime" and "peaceful, peaceful," witnesses said.

As protesters gathered, security personnel arrived in the area. Three tanker trucks, usually used by authorities to spray protesters with water, were also parked nearby. "A sit-in until the regime is brought down," the protesters chanted.

Witnesses said the protesters are planning to set up tents and some residents donated water and food.

Also yesterday, a group of Syrian students said in a statement posted on Facebook they will not attend lectures for three days starting today in protests at the recent deaths and last week's attack by security forces at Damascus University, where one student was killed.

In the northern city of Banias, about 300 children released balloons with slogans calling on President Assad to leave power, witnesses said.

"Leave, uncle criminal," read one balloon."Leave so that I can enjoy freedom," read another.

The latest protests are bound to increase pressure on President Assad, who has tried to quell the popular uprising with a mixture of brute force and concessions. On Saturday, he promised to end nearly 50 years of emergency rule this week, a key demand of the protesters.

Syria's widely despised emergency laws have been in place since the ruling Baath Party came to power in 1963, giving the regime a free hand to arrest people without charge.

But he warned there will no longer be "an excuse" for organizing protests once Syria lifts emergency rule and implements reforms, which he said will include a new law allowing the formation of political parties.