In Syria, where a human rights organization says at least 90 civilians had been killed by security forces during the biggest demonstrations so far against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad.

Another 80 people were injured in the clashes. Demonstrators also seek the release of political prisoners and the dismantling of the security services.

It was the bloodiest day in a month of escalating demonstrations.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across Syria on Friday to call for current president Bashar al-Assad to step down. Although he had just lifted the almost half century old emergency law, protesters were not appeased. They called for more reforms and greater freedoms in the west-Asian country.

Syrian state television showed protests in several cities with news anchors stating the protests were "peaceful". But an unnamed fireman in the capital city of Damascus said the fire stations had been attacked by protesters. His fire engine appears to have been badly damaged.

Unidentified Fireman, said, "Shooting is evidence that people are not calling for freedom. They are calling for damage, to destroy the country.":

However, amatuer video posted on a social website showed yet another side to the story. In it, protestors are seen running from the sound of gunfire in the cities of Homs and Damascus.

Neither account could be independently confirmed.

Friday's violence brings the death toll to around 300, since the unrest broke out in March in southern Syria.