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    September 24, 2011

Syrian Forces Kill 5 in Central Homs

   VOA News
   Map of Homs in Syria

   Syrian security forces killed at least five people in the central Homs
   region, in the latest government crackdown on dissent.
   Activists say the deaths occurred Saturday during an apparent
   government search operation in the flashpoint region.
   Meanwhile, a state media report says funerals were held on Saturday for
   six security force officers who were killed by "armed terrorist groups"
   in Homs, Damascus and the city of Dara'a. The government has blamed
   much of the deadly violence associated with anti-government protests on
   armed gunmen.
   French ambassador attacked
   In a separate development on Saturday, supporters of President Bashar
   al-Assad hurled stones and eggs at France's ambassador to the country.
   The attack against Eric Chevallier took place as he was leaving a
   meeting with the Greek Orthodox patriarch Ignace IV in Damascus.
   Syria has been facing increased international pressure for its
   crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators. On Monday, French Foreign
   Minister Alain Juppe accused the Syrian government of "crimes against
   humanity."
   EU sanctions
   Meanwhile, a new round of European Union sanctions against Damascus
   took effect on Saturday. The measures impose penalties on several
   Syrian entities. Earlier this week, several world leaders urged the
   U.N. Security Council to also put greater pressure on Assad's
   government.
   The U.N. estimates that at least 2,700 people have been killed in the
   Syrian government's crackdown on dissent.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
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References

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