Security forces block mass demo in Damascus, activists say

Syrian security forces on Saturday prevented demonstrators from reaching central Damascus to protest against an attack on a mosque in the capital, according to activists, DPA reported.

Protests were held Saturday in several parts of Damascus to denounce the assault on al-Refai Mosque in the capital's suburb of Kafr Soussa, broadcaster Al Jazeera reported.

Protesters had planned to converge on the squares of Al Abasyeen and Amawyeen in the city centre.

One person was killed and 10 injured when security forces attacked a group of people leaving the al-Refai Mosque after dawn prayers, a rights group said Saturday.

The injured included the imam of the mosque, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added.

In a separate incident, at least three people were killed Saturday when security forces fired on protesters in the district of Hamouriya near Damascus, activists based in Lebanon said.

They added that police supported by al-Shabeeha, a pro-government militia, used ambulances to shoot at demonstrators.

Syrian security forces have stepped up raids on mosques since the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to curb a surge in anti-government protests, activists say

However, the state news agency SANA denied Saturday protesters were on their way to central Damascus.

"There are no gatherings in the squares of Abasyeen and Amawyeen or in Kafr Soussa," SANA and state Syrian television reported.

They slammed television stations circulating "these false reports" as agitators.

"Calm prevails in these areas where the people lead their normal life," the news agency said, quoting what it described as local residents.

Meanwhile, a defector from the Syrian army called Saturday for Syrians to continue peaceful protests.

"I urge all Syrians to gather at squares holding up olive branches," Hussein Harmush, identifying himself as the spokesman for the self-styled Free Officers, told Al Arabiya television.

He called on the army and security troops to "stop bloodshed."

Activists said security forces had killed at least seven civilians in the restive cities of Deir al-Zour, Latakia and Homs overnight.

The clampdown came hours before Arab League foreign ministers were to hold an emergency meeting on Syria in Cairo later on Saturday.

On Saturday, SANA reported that five law-enforcement personnel were injured in separate attacks by "armed groups."

Quoting what it described as an official source, SANA said armed men on motorcycles opened fire on a security checkpoint in Deir al-Zour, injuring three of its members.

"The law-enforcement force shot back at the attackers, killing two of them," the source added.

The news agency also reported that "gunmen" had attacked a military security building in Douma in Damascus, injuring two guards.

An estimated 2,200 people have been killed since protests began in mid-March, according to the United Nations. At least 350 people have been killed since the start of Ramadan on August 1.