Protests broke out in several Syrian regions following Friday prayers, local media reported.
A correspondent for the Syrian state television reported that two people were killed and several injured during the protests in Homs governorate, in central Syria. But he denied that police had opened fire on protesters.
Independent Syrian television channel Ad-Dounia reported that some 400 people hit the streets of the city of Al-Qamishli in north eastern Syria demanding a speed-up of reforms in the country. Similar protests were observed in the neighboring towns of Darbasia and Amuda.
Protesters in the eastern Syrian city of Abu Kamal set tires on fire and burnt cars and several motorbikes, the channel reported.
The latest violence came after Syrian President Bashar Assad said on Wednesday that his country had overcome its two-month-long political crisis.
The Syrian human rights group Sawasiah says more than 800 people have been killed since the unrest against the country's longtime ruler began in mid-March.
Syrian authorities claim the protests are being organized by Islamic extremists seeking to seize power in the country.
DAMASCUS, May 20 (RIA Novosti)
