Syria protests erupt, Arab League fears civil war
By Khaled Yacoub Oweis
AMMAN | Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:11am EST
AMMAN (Reuters) - Protests against President Bashar al-Assad erupted in several Syrian cities Friday, activists said, and the Arab League chief said he feared the bloody unrest could degenerate into a civil war with ill effects for the wider region.
Security forces killed one demonstrator in the northwestern town of Idlib, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Protests also flared after Friday prayers in some areas of the capital Damascus, as well as the port city of Latakia, where Arab League monitors had come under attack from a pro-Assad crowd Monday. "The people want the downfall of the regime!" people chanted near a Latakia mosque, one activist said.
Syrians determined to end four decades of Assad family rule have kept up protests since March despite a fierce crackdown by Assad's military and security forces that the United Nations says has cost more than 5,000 lives.
Some, including army deserters, have taken up arms in recent months. Syrian authorities say foreign-backed "terrorists" have killed 2,000 soldiers and police since the revolt began.
more:http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/13/us-syria-idUSTRE8041A820120113?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=71
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