Global General

Protests erupt in Syrian cities

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-15 21:13

DAMASCUS - Thousands of Syrian protesters took to the streets on Friday in cities of Damascus, Daraa, Latakia, Homs and Banias, among others, calling for freedom and change, pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV reported.

Related readings: Syria awaits key speech from Assad  Syria ends 48-year-long emergency law  At least 37 killed during clashes in Syria

The demonstrators chanted pro-change slogans, demanding the authorities to release people who were detained during the previous protests.

Unprecedented anti-government protests erupted one month ago in the southern town of Daraa, which have rapidly spread into other parts of the country where clashes with security forces have caused the death of dozens from both sides.

Friday's demonstrations came in spite of a series of previous reform procedures ordered by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, such as ending the emergency law and releasing dozens of political detainees.