Several protesters were reportedly killed in Syria when security forces opened fire near the southern city of Daraa on Friday, witnesses and media said, dpa reported.
Al Arabiya broadcaster said at least 20 people were killed.
"People who came from nearby regions to support the people inside the city of Daraa were shot at as they approached the sealed city," a witness told the German press Agency dpa.
Witnesses said some of the injured suffered head wounds in the shooting, which occurred in the al-Sanamein area.
Thousands of Syrians gathered for mass anti-government protests, also attending a funeral for demonstrators who were killed on Wednesday.
Dozens of protesters have been killed over the past week in Daraa after security forces reportedly opened fire on them.
Friday's Day of Dignity comes after promises by Assad to "study" the possibility of ending Syria's emergency rule, which has been in force since 1963.
He also issued a decree increasing salaries for all public sector employees and reducing taxes.
But the government pledges were not sufficient because "there are people who went missing and we want to know their fate," said another activist in Daraa.
Authorities banned journalists from entering Daraa, which has been the focal point of the demonstrations. They said reporters did not have permission from the Information Ministry, according to activists. Most of reporters were from Arab satellite channels that have permanent offices in the capital, Damascus.
"They do not want us to speak to the media and tell them about the massacres of the regime," said an activist, who requested anonymity.
The opposition Reform Party of Syria said that thousands took to the streets in the western city of Homs chanting slogans including "Peacefully" and "No more fear."
Protests were also held in the eastern city of Deir el Zour, and the northern city of Aleppo, the party said.
Security forces tried to disperse around 200 anti-government protesters in the Mezzeh neighbourhood of Damascus, Lebanese media reported, citing witnesses. Dozens were reportedly arrested in the city's Al-Marja Square.
Around 15,000 people gathered Friday near the Umayyad Mosque in the old city of Damascus, for a rally supporting al-Assad.
They carried national flags, photos of al-Assad and were singing nationalist songs declaring their loyalty to al-Assad.
"In our blood we redeem you Bashar," said a man from the Druze village of Sweida on State television.
For more than a week, Syrian protesters have been demanding an end to emergency law, greater freedoms, and - in some cases - Assad's ouster.
The Facebook page of the Syrian Revolution 2011 called on Syrian citizens living abroad to protest in front of embassies and for human rights groups to show their support for the people of Daraa.
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