Five people were killed on Friday as protesters took to the streets across Syria for another day of anti-government protests, dubbed a "day of defiance," Arab media reported.
Official reports say almost 150 people have been killed in popular protests that have swept Syria since mid-March. The opposition says at least 500 have been killed.
Demonstrations began after Friday prayers in many cities, including suburbs of the capital, Damascus, Al Jazeera reported.
Army units have taken key positions in Damascus and its suburbs, as well as in the cities of Baniyas, Homs and Rastan.
The Syrian opposition is calling for greater political and personal rights and freedoms.
The European Union has imposed an arms embargo on Syria and said last week it would consider further sanctions against the Assad regime if the authorities continued to use violence against peaceful protesters.
MOSCOW, May 6 (RIA Novosti)
