Report: Civilian death toll in Syria rises to 70

Security forces and gunmen loyal to President Bashar Assad shot dead at least 70 pro-democracy protesters in Syria on Friday, the Syrian human rights organisation Sawasiah said.

An official in Sawasiah, an independent organisation founded by jailed human rights lawyer Mohannad al-Hassani, told Reuters the killings of civilians occurred the Damascus district of Barzeh, its suburbs Zamalka, Harasta, Douma, Muadamiya, Qaboun and Hajar al-Asswad, as well as in the cities of Hama, Latakia and Homs, and in the southern town of Izra'a. (Reuters)