Thousands rally after protesters are killed

Thousands of Syrians rallied for a third consecutive day yesterday, in a tense southern city where security forces killed at least five protesters, signalling that unrest in yet another Arab country is taking root.

One witness said protesters were angry about the shooting on Friday and mass arrests after the rallies calling for political freedoms in one of the region's most repressive countries.

An activist in Damascus who is in close contact with Daraa residents said protesters were particularly incensed at a delegation from president Bashar Assad that came to offer condolences to the families of the dead. Another Damascus activist said police fired tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition, killing one person. He said more than 200 people suffered from gas inhalation and were treated at a nearby mosque.

Syria's government appeared to try to calm the situation later. An official promised to free 70 people held after the deadly protests on Friday as well as the teenagers whose detention after scrawling anti-government graffiti touched off the unrest.

The Syrian official said an investigative committee recommended sacking several government and security officials in Daraa, accusing them of mishandling Friday's protests.

The Damascus activist said thousands of protesters called for an end to emergency laws, in place since the ruling Baath Party took power in 1963.

Syrian police sealed off Daraa after Friday's demonstrations, allowing residents to leave the city, but not to enter.

The National Organisation for Human Rights said authorities randomly arrested people who participated in the protests in at least five cities.

Ammar Qurabi, who heads the rights group, said those arrested were charged with writing anti-government slogans.

A Syrian official acknowledged only two deaths in Friday's violence and said that authorities would bring those responsible to trial.