Thirty killed in Syria protests

Syrian security forces killed about 30 people Friday as mass protests erupted calling for the downfall of president Bashar Assad’s regime, activists said.

It was the highest death toll in weeks stemming from the seven-month-old uprising.

Much of the bloodshed happened after the protests had ended and security forces hunted protesters and activists, according to opposition groups monitoring the demonstrations. Authorities disrupted telephone and internet services in restive areas, they said.