Forces kill 88 Syrian protesters

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Forces kill 88 Syrian protesters

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Death toll has risen to 88 in clashes between Syrian security forces and protesters.

22 April,2011 09:52 pm

More than 88 protesters were killed by security forces during massive demonstrations on Friday across Syria.Thousands of protesters demonstrated in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli as calls were launched for nationwide “Good Friday” rallies, a day after President Bashar al-Assad scrapped decades of draconian emergency rule.Witnesses in Qamishli near the Turkish border said that around up to 6,000 demonstrators marched in the city waving Syrian flags, while some of the protesters carried banners calling for an end to corruption.Witnesses said between 5,000 and 6,000 protesters were taking part in the march that began outside the Qasmo mosque.Assad, in power since replacing his father Hafez as president in 2000, issued decrees Thursday to scrap the state of emergency as well as abolish the state security court and allow citizens to hold peaceful demonstrations.The moves are aimed at placating a pro-democracy movement that has seen protests across the country, ruled by one of the Middle Easts most autocratic regimes since the Baath Party seized power 48 years ago.