This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-13902967

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Syria: Fresh protests erupt against Bashar al-Assad Syria: Fresh protests erupt against Bashar al-Assad
(40 minutes later)
Protesters have taken to the streets across Syria after Friday prayers, in new rallies against President Bashar al-Assad, activists and witnesses say.Protesters have taken to the streets across Syria after Friday prayers, in new rallies against President Bashar al-Assad, activists and witnesses say.
One report said security forces had opened fire on protesters in Kiswah, just south of the capital, Damascus. Security forces were said to have used tear gas and gunfire in and around the capital, Damascus, with unconfirmed reports of casualties.
Meanwhile, the EU has expanded sanctions against Mr Assad's regime. Meanwhile, the EU has expanded sanctions against the Assad regime.
It added three members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and four Syrians to a list of people whose assets are frozen and who are banned from travel. It added three members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and four Syrians to a list of more than 30 people targeted.
The EU's official journal said the three Revolutionary Guard members now subject to sanctions had been "providing equipment and support to help the Syrian regime suppress protests in Syria".The EU's official journal said the three Revolutionary Guard members now subject to sanctions had been "providing equipment and support to help the Syrian regime suppress protests in Syria".
The EU also drafted a declaration condemning the "unacceptable and shocking violence the Syrian regime continues to apply on its own citizens".The EU also drafted a declaration condemning the "unacceptable and shocking violence the Syrian regime continues to apply on its own citizens".
EU leaders are expected to endorse the declaration later.EU leaders are expected to endorse the declaration later.
More than 1,300 people have been killed and thousands more detained since a crackdown on anti-government protests began in March, activists say.More than 1,300 people have been killed and thousands more detained since a crackdown on anti-government protests began in March, activists say.
'No longer my president''No longer my president'
As in previous weeks, activists appealed to Syrians to join demonstrations after Friday prayers.As in previous weeks, activists appealed to Syrians to join demonstrations after Friday prayers.
An appeal on Facebook listed this week's slogan as: "Bashar is no longer my president and his government no longer represents me." An appeal on Facebook listed a slogan for this week as: "Bashar is no longer my president and his government no longer represents me."
Thousands of people were reported to have turned out in the Damascus suburb of Irbin, the central cities of Homs and Hama, Deraa in the south, and Qamishli and Deir al-Zour in the east.Thousands of people were reported to have turned out in the Damascus suburb of Irbin, the central cities of Homs and Hama, Deraa in the south, and Qamishli and Deir al-Zour in the east.
The Local Coordination Committees, which monitor the Syrian protest movement, reported military trucks in Damascus suburbs, and said the roads in the centre of Homs had been blocked. Residents in Homs told BBC Arabic that one person had been killed in a protest in the district of Jawret al-Arayeis.
Friday's protests come after President Assad promised dialogue and reform on Monday, in his third address to the nation since the start of demonstrations. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said one person had been killed and nine injured in Kiswah, south of Damascus.
Activists dismissed the offer of reform as cosmetic or insufficient, and clashes broke out between supporters of President Assad and anti-government protesters on Tuesday. Syria has prevented most foreign journalists from entering the country and reports of unrest are hard to verify.
Meanwhile in the north, Turkey said more than 1,500 people had crossed the border from Syria after troops and tanks moved into the Syrian border village of Khirbet al-Jouz. The Local Coordination Committees, which monitor the Syrian protest movement, had earlier reported military trucks in Damascus suburbs, and said roads in the centre of Homs had been blocked.
A total of 11,700 Syrian have sought refuge in Turkey, the Turkish government says. Friday's protests come after President Assad offered dialogue and reform on Monday, in his third address to the nation since the start of demonstrations.
On Thursday, residents and journalists in the Turkish village Guvecci said they could see military activity across the border. Activists dismissed the offers as cosmetic or insufficient, and clashes broke out between supporters of President Assad and anti-government protesters on Tuesday.
Flight into Turkey
In the north, Syrian residents have been continuing to flee a widening crackdown by the army.
Turkish state media said more than 1,500 people had crossed the border from Syria on Thursday after troops and tanks moved into the Syrian border village of Khirbet al-Jouz.
Residents and journalists in the Turkish village Guvecci said they could see military activity across the border.
Activists from the Local Coordinating Committees said snipers were also spotted on roofs.Activists from the Local Coordinating Committees said snipers were also spotted on roofs.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the reported Syrian troops movements were "very worrisome". A total of 11,700 Syrian have sought refuge in Turkey, the Turkish government says.
The Iranians added to the EU list were two Revolutionary Guard commanders, Maj Gen Qasem Soleimani and Brig Cmdr Mohammad Ali Jafari, and the Guard's deputy commander for intelligence, Hossein Taeb. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the reported Syrian troop movements were "very worrisome".
The Iranians added to the EU sanctions list were two Revolutionary Guard commanders, Maj Gen Qasem Soleimani and Brig Cmdr Mohammad Ali Jafari, and the Guard's deputy commander for intelligence, Hossein Taeb.
They will now be subject to having their assets frozen and being banned from travel.
EU officials did not give details of the equipment or support they were accused of providing to Syria.EU officials did not give details of the equipment or support they were accused of providing to Syria.