New anti-Assad demonstration in Daraa

Over 1,000 demonstrators gathered in the Syrian town of Daraa on the fourth consecutive day of protests, according to human rights campaigners. They were surrounded by security forces.

Reuters/Khaled al-Hariri

The protesters chanted slogans against the regime inside al-Omari mosque in the southern town.

Daraa has been the scene of protests against the government of Bashar al-Assad and confrontations with the military, leading to at least six deaths.

UN rights chief Navi Pillay called for an “independent, transparent and effective investigation into the killings in a statement issued on Tuesday.

The excessive use of force is a “clear violation of international law”, Pillay’s representative Rupert Colville said.