75 killed in deadliest day of Syria uprising

Beirut, April 22: Amnesty International says at least 75 people have been killed during the deadliest day of pro-democracy protests in Syria.

The human rights group cited local activists. Syrian security forces fired live bullets and tear gas today on rallies across the country.

The demonstrations are a sign that President Bashar Assad's attempts to quell the month long protests with a deadly crackdown and promises of reform have all but failed.

The protest movement has been the gravest challenge against the autocratic regime led by Assad. He inherited power from his father 11 years ago in one of the most rigidly controlled countries in the Middle East.

AP