Death toll mounts in Syria as tens of thousands take to the streets

So sad. I hope the Syrian people win their freedom w/o too much more bloodshed, but that does not seem likely at this point in time.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/12/30/134495/death-toll-mounts-in-syria-as.html

Posted on Friday, December 30, 2011

By Alexandra Zavis and Rima Marrouch | McClatchy Tribune Newswire Alexandra Zavis and Rima Marrouch Any hope that the presence of Arab observers in Syria might bring an end to months of bloodshed all but evaporated Friday as opposition activists reported that security forces opened fire on tens of thousands of anti-government protesters and clashes broke out with army defectors in a suburb of the capital, Damascus.

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Opposition activists have expressed growing frustration with the observer mission, which is in Syria to monitor compliance with a regional peace plan calling for the withdrawal of security forces from urban areas, the release of political prisoners and free access for the media. The activists say the mission is too small and too easily mislead by the government, which is providing security and logistic support to the observers. The selection of a Sudanese general, who once headed a military intelligence branch accused of human rights abuse, has also raised concern.

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