Beirut: Syrian activists are calling for massive protests on Friday to gauge the regime's commitment to an Arab plan to end a crackdown on dissent.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Coordination Committees activist network said two people had already been killed on Friday morning amid heavy gunfire in the central city of Homs.
Protests usually are at their largest after Friday midday prayers.
Activists report that at least 18 people were killed in a security crackdown in Homs on Thursday in defiance of the agreement reached the day before between the Syrian government and the Arab League to end nearly eight months of bloodshed.
The LCC and other opposition groups called for mass protests Friday to test whether the regime will stop using force against anti-government protesters.
Tank fire kills three Friday morning
Amman: Syrian tank fire killed at least three people in a poor residential district in Homs on Friday, local activists said, in the second day of heavy bombardment after the authorities agreed to an Arab League plan to pull the army out of cities.
Tanks resumed pounding the Bab Amro neighbourhood of Homs, a city of 1 million, 140km north of Damascus, that has seen regular protests demanding the removal of President Bashar Al Assad and an emerging armed resistance against his rule, at around 2am GMT, they said.
Opposition calls on Arab League to take action
Dubai: Syrian opposition called on the Arab League to take action against Bashar Al Assad's regime as Syrian forces continued killing in spite of accepting the peace proposal to solve the eight-month crisis.
Haitham Al Maleh, 80, a rights activist and former judge, told Gulf News Thursday that the regime, which approved the three-point proposal of withdrawing the military from the streets, releasing prisoners and starting dialogue with the opposition under the League's umbrella has failed to ensure its basic commitment to stop the killing immediately. Opposition sources said forces loyal to Al Assad's regime have killed at least 25 civilian protesters in the restive central city of Homs.
Al Maleh, who is on a Gulf tour to convince GCC governments to take action to protect civilians in Syria, said "the regime cannot stop killing as this would mean the end of the regime".
Dr Najeeb Al Gadban, a US-based Syrian opposition figure and member of the Syrian National Council in exile, told Gulf News that the approval of the Arab League proposal by the regime was just an attempt to buy more time.
A trap
He said: "The League fell in the trap set by Al Assad who is using his manoeuvring skills to stay in power for as long as possible."
But, Al Maleh exuded confidence that whatever action the regime takes, the victory of the Syrians will come soon.
In Syria, some demonstrators celebrated the Arab League initiative, but residents and activists said troops remained in cities and security operations continued, especially in Homs.
In the Damascus suburb of Harasta, at least 120 protesters were arrested overnight after celebrating the Arab League deal, a resident said.
EU urges Syria to enact Arab League plan 'fully and rapidly'
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton urged Syria on Thursay to implement "fully and rapidly" an Arab League plan to end a months of bloodshed.
"I welcome the efforts of the Arab League to end violence and bring about the reforms that the Syrian people have bravely demanded these last seven months," she said in a statement.
"It is now vital that the commitments made by the Syrian authorities to the Arab League are followed through fully and rapidly, under Arab scrutiny."
Ashton added that the initiative could only succeed, however "if the Syrian authorities provide the space and security for opposition groups to work with all sectors of the Syrian population for a peaceful political transition."
Growing isolation for Syria if it fails Arab League: US
Syria will only deepen its international isolation if it fails to abide by a deal with the Arab League to stop killing protesters, the United States warned Thursday.
State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the 22-member league could be forced to toughen its position toward Damascus as countries like Russia and Turkey did after they gave Syria a chance to end the bloodshed.
And the signs are not encouraging, she said.
Nuland highlighted reports of more civilian deaths at the hands of Syrian troops a day after President Bashar Al Assad's regime pledged to withdraw its forces from protest hubs under a deal with the Arab League.
"We have not seen any evidence that the Assad regime intends to live up to the commitments that it's made," Nuland said as she welcomed the league's efforts to stop the bloodshed.
"We have no evidence to indicate that they're withdrawing from anywhere at this stage."
-With inputs from agencies
