Tens of thousands rally in Syria; troops open fire

[July 29, 2011]  BEIRUT (AP) -- Activists say Syrian troops have fired live ammunition and tear gas on protesters in several cities around the country as tens of thousands are demonstrating, demanding the regime's ouster.

Activists say troops fired Friday in the Mediterranean town of Latakia and fired tear gas in several other places. There was no immediate word on casualties. The activists also say troops are beating up protesters in Banias.

There are also marches in the countryside around Damascus despite an intense crackdown there in the past few days.

Opposition groups have dubbed Friday's protests "Your silence is killing us."

It's an attempt to mobilize sections of the population that have not yet joined the protests and Arab leaders who remain silent on the crackdown against Syria's uprising.

[Associated Press; By ZEINA KARAM]

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