At least 20 people were killed and scores injured in Syria on Friday as army and police opened fire on anti-government protesters, activists say.
The majority of the deaths were reported to be in the southern Deraa province. There were also reports of shootings in Homs.
The violence came after the U.S. and EU countries called for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down. Russia said Assad should be given more time to enact reforms.
Assad had told the United Nations that army and police operations against civilian protesters had been halted.
Syria's UN envoy said the U.S. was "waging a humanitarian and diplomatic war" against Syria.
