At least eight killed while on marches across Syria

Syrian security forces opened fire on anti-government demonstrations yesterday, killing at least eight people as thousands took to the streets despite the near-certainty they would face gunfire, tear gas and stun guns, human rights activists and witnesses said.

The casualties included three people in the Qatana, suburb of the capital, and four in the village of Dael, according to the Local Co-ordination Committees in Syria, which help organise the protests. One person was reported killed near the border with Lebanon.

Yesterday, protests erupted in the capital, Damascus, and the coastal city of Banias, the central city of Homs and elsewhere.

Human rights groups say more than 1,000 people have been killed since the revolt began in mid-March - a death toll that has enraged and motivated protesters.

Many activists have been opting for night-time demonstrations and candlelight vigils in recent days, hoping the security forces would be less in evidence.

A witness in Damascus, who asked to be identified only by his nickname, Abu Moustafa, said up to 1,500 people were chanting for the downfall of the regime in the Qaboun neighbourhood.

More than 20 buses carrying soldiers and security forces arrived, raising tensions, he said.

At least two other gatherings also were reported in the capital.

Another witness in the central city of Homs - the site of some of the largest demonstrations in recent weeks - said thousands of people were chanting for the downfall of the regime. Security forces held their fire but closed all the roads leading to the city centre.

Human rights activist Mustafa Osso said Syrian security forces opened fire at demonstrators in the north-eastern town of Deir el-Zour, but it was not clear whether there were casualties.

He said 5,000 people demonstrated in the northeastern city of Qamishli, while more than 3,000 protested in the village of Amouda and 2,000 marched in the nearby town of Derbasiya.