Friday, 13 January 2012Syrian opposition movements Friday called for rallies across the country to be held in support of the dissident Syrian Free Army, one day after at least seven deserters were killed in clashes with government forces, dpa reported.
The opposition claims that around 40,000 personnel have defected from the Syrian army since an uprising against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad started in March.
Government troops and tanks were Friday being deployed around areas on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus ahead of the planned anti-regime mass protests, activists based in northern Lebanon told dpa.
"The Syrian forces shelled early Friday areas near Reef Damascus, killing at least two people," Ahmed Bilal, a Syrian activist said.
Meanwhile, anti-government activists have pitched a tent in the restive province of Homs and posted pictures of the French reporter, Gilles Jacquier, who was killed on Wednesday in a mortar attack in the province while covering a pro-regime rally.
"We held a candlelight vigil overnight for him. We believe Jacquier was killed by the pro-regime thugs," Omar Homsi, a prominent Syrian activist, told dpa.
Syrian authorities said on Thursday they would probe the death of Jacquier, who worked for the France 2 TV network, as the opposition accused the government of "liquidating" him.
A team from France 2 has arrived in Syria to take the body of Jacquier to Paris, where he is to be buried. |
Friday, 13 January 2012
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