Activists: Syrian forces open fire on rally

[December 09, 2011]  BEIRUT (AP) -- Activists say Syrian forces have opened fire on an anti-government rally in a restive central city, as thousands of protesters demonstrated around the country.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not report any injuries from the shootings in Homs, which took place after Friday prayers.

Syrians have taken to the streets for nine months to protest the authoritarian regime of President Bashar Assad.

The U.N. estimates more than 4,000 people have been killed in the government crackdown on the revolt.

Homs has emerged as a flashpoint of violence. On Thursday, a major Syrian pipeline carrying oil to a refinery in Homs province was blown up by unknown attackers.

[Associated Press; By ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.