Group: Civilian deaths in Syria protests rise to 500

Syrian security forces have killed at least 500 civilians in a crackdown of a "peaceful democratic uprising", Syrian human rights organisation Sawasiah said on Thursday.

Sawasiah, founded by jailed Syrian human rights lawyer Mohannad al-Hassani, also said thousands of Syrians have been arrested and scores have gone missing after demonstrations demanding political freedoms and an end to corruption erupted almost six weeks ago. (Reuters)