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Syrian Forces Fire on Protesters, Killing 2

   VOA News  May 29, 2011
   Map of Banias in Syria

   Witnesses say Syrian troops have opened fired on anti-government
   protesters, killing two in the country's center.
   The witnesses said the two were shot dead Sunday when troops backed by
   army tanks surrounded the town of Rastan.
   Activists say troops also have attacked the nearby town of Talbiseh and
   the northeastern town of Deir el-Zour, leaving several people wounded.
   On Friday, human rights activists said Syrian security forces opened
   fire on protesters in several locations throughout the country, killing
   at least eight people.
   Human rights groups estimate that some 1,000 people have died in the
   government crackdown on protests against Syrian President Bashar
   al-Assad.
   A group of European nations has put forth a draft U.N. Security Council
   resolution that would condemn Syria for its crackdown on peaceful
   protesters.
   The measure - backed by Britain, France, Germany and Portugal -
   condemns what the sponsors call a "systematic violation of human
   rights" that includes killings, arbitrary detentions, disappearances
   and the torture of peaceful demonstrators.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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References

   1. http://twitter.com/VOAMiddleEast
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