Obama slams 'outrageous' use of force in Syrian protests

Speaking on the rallies supporting the Syrian protesters, like this one in New York, that are taking place around the world Obama said President Bashar al-Assad refused to respect the rights of protesters, and had instead used the same tactics as his Iranian allies.

Friday's death toll was the highest in five weeks of unrest, and large crowds are expected to attend funerals on Saturday honouring many of those killed. The funeral gatherings raise fears of further bloody confrontations.

According to Syria's state news agency, there was merely a limited number of protests in some provinces, and the violence was the work of armed criminal gangs. It claimed that security forces had used only tear gas and water cannon to prevent clashes.

"This outrageous use of violence to quell protests must come to an end now," Obama said, speaking following the Friday massacre. "Instead of listening to their own people, President Assad is blaming outsiders while seeking Iranian assistance in repressing Syria's citizens through the same brutal tactics that have been used by his Iranian allies."

Syria is widely believed to be a key part of an alliance that includes Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in the Gaza Strip and other more radical Palestinian groups opposed to peace with Israel.

The US designates Syria a state sponsor of terrorism and already has sanctions in place.

Friday's bloodshed - which came a day after President Assad scrapped decades of emergency rule – sparked off increasingly-strong international condemnation. France said it was "extremely concerned" and condemned the violence.

"Light should be shed on these crimes and those responsible must be identified, arrested and brought to justice," said foreign ministry deputy spokeswoman Christine Fages. She added that Syrian authorities should "renounce the use of violence against their citizens.”

Human rights groups and witnesses said many deaths occurred in a village near Deraa in the south, and in a suburb of the capital, Damascus, and video footage showed protesters scattering as they apparently came under fire. Protests took place across Syria following Friday prayers.

The BBC is reporting that, with foreign journalists unable to get into Syria, much of the reporting of the country has depended on footage distributed by opposition activists.

But the official Syrian news agency claimed the army had found digital cameras containing short fabricated videos depicting fake repression of protests on Friday.

It said armed gangs were carrying bottles of blood to be used in making fake films.