Anti-regime demonstrators in Syria say government forces have shot dead at least 18 people who were part of a protest demanding the removal of President Bashar al-Assad.
State media say a number of police officers were shot and wounded in a Damascus suburb.
Throughout the country tens of thousands of people rallied after Friday prayers, defying Mr Assad's brutal crackdown.
A pledge by his tycoon cousin - a symbol of corruption to many Syrians - that he would renounce his business empire and channel his wealth to charity also failed to keep protesters at home.
Rights groups say that since unrest broke out in March, 1300 civilians and 300 security personnel have been killed, and 10,000 protesters detained.
