More protesters killed in southern city of Deir

AT LEAST a dozen protesters were reported killed across Syria yesterday as the EU banned the importation of oil products from the country, depriving the government of €5 million-€6 million in revenue a day.

The fatalities were said to be in the southern Deraa province, the cradle of the unrest; the tribal city of Deir al-Zor in the east; and a restive Damascus suburb. Marches were mounted under the slogan, “Death Rather than Humiliation”, reported Facebook page “Syrian Revolution 2010”, administered by a member of the Muslim Brotherhood based in Sweden.

Local co-ordinating committees guiding protests in the country said there had been a rally outside the home of Hama attorney general Adnan Bakkour in support of his resignation in protest over the killing of demonstrators.

Syria’s state news agency said several members of the security forces were wounded when bases came under attack.

Opposition groups estimate that 2,200 people have been slain since anti-government demonstrations began in mid-March. The government says that more than 500 members of the police and armed forces have been killed. EU foreign ministers discussed Syria at a meeting in Poland yesterday.