Syrian protests erupt amid new concessions

Thousands of protesters massed across Syria after weekly Muslim prayers yesterday as a global outcry widened over a deadly crackdown on month-old, anti-regime demonstrations.
The protesters took to the streets of the restive city of Daraa as well as other centres in the Kurdish-populated northwest, a day after embattled President Bashar al-Assad unveiled a new government.
Activists said up to 3,000 protesters marched to the centre of Daraa and more were on their way to the southern city, where security forces shot dead at least seven people last Friday.
"Between 2,500 and 3,000 people showed up at Al-Saraya area in the centre of the city, chanting slogans in favour of freedom and against the hostile regime," said the activist on condition of anonymity.
Security forces looked on as protesters chanted "Death rather than humiliation!" he said, adding that other demonstrators were "going to come from nearby villages."
Hassan Berro, a rights activist in the northeastern city of Qamishli, said some 5,000 people emerged from a mosque there yesterday to demonstrate in solidarity with the people of Daraa and Banias.