Syria Demonstrators Cite Libya in Calling for Assad Ouster

Syrian security forces killed at least five people today during rallies, an activist said, as protesters emboldened by rebel advances in Libya called for President Bashar al-Assad to heed international calls to resign.

The deaths took place across the Hama governorate, Mahmoud Merhi, head of the Arab Organization for Human Rights, said by phone. Yesterday, 10 protesters died in Hama, Homs, Aleppo and the southern area of Daraa, where rallies against Assad’s rule began, he said. There were nationwide arrests, with about 300 detained in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour, he said.