Syria: Violent Clashes Bring More Deaths

AFP/Getty Images(DAMASCUS, Syria) -- Friday marked a deadly day in Syria, as violence erupted in several parts of the country as demonstrators clashed with security forces.

Violent clashes resulted in the deaths of as much as 20 people, according to the group Local Coordination Committees of Syria, which supports the call for the removal of President Bashar al-Assad from office. Among those killed in Friday’s protests were five children, the group says.

The Syrian state news agency, however, says the death toll from Friday’s violence was significantly lower at seven people, with that agency saying that those killed included both civilians and law enforcement personnel.

Neither of the death figures could be independently confirmed. There were also said to be a number of other persons injured in the violence.

Since March demonstrators have be staging protests throughout the country, calling for the president to step down.

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