Troops open fire on Syria protesters

The demonstrations appear to be among the largest since the anti-government uprising began in March, despite how the government has launched a "national dialogue".

Protesters are calling for the stepping down of President Bashar al-Assad, prompting regular protests following Friday prayers.

There were reports of mass demonstrations in several locations including the cities of Homs, Hama, Deraa, Deir al-Zour and Idlib and in the Damascus neighbourhood of Qabun.

The Syrian League for the Defence of Human Rights has already estimated that about 20,000 people were protesting in Damascus alone.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights spokesperson Rami Abdel Rahman said that more than one million people turned out in just two cities - Hama and Deir al-Zour.

"It's a major development and a message to the authorities that protests are getting bigger," he said.

However rights activists are saying that at least 16 people have already died in Damascus, three in Idlib, two in Deraa and three in Duma. There were also reports of two deaths in Homs.

International journalists have been denied access to Syria and the figures cannot be independently verified.

Opposition activists are being reported by the BBC that protesters in Damascus were trying to evacuate several wounded people and to stop security forces from entering Qabun.

In Deraa, an activist was reported by AP news agency: "All hell broke loose, the firing was intense."

The official Sana news agency reported that "armed men fired on security forces and citizens in the areas of Qabun and Rukn Eddin in Damascus".

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated on Friday that President Assad had lost his legitimacy in the eyes of the Syrian people.

Speaking during a visit to Turkey, she said: "We, along with many others in the region and beyond, have said we strongly support a democratic transition," she said.

"The ultimate destiny of the Syrian regime and Syrian people lies with the people themselves."

President Assad is trying to crush a rebellion that human rights groups say has so far killed about 1,400 civilians and 350 security forces personnel.

The government blames the unrest on "armed criminal gangs" backed by a foreign conspiracy.

In an attempt to defuse the unrest, ministers recently held a two-day "national dialogue" between members of the ruling Baath party and its opponents.

However, many opposition leaders and protest organisers refused to attend.