Syria Violence: Security Forces 'Fire On Funeral'

Syrian Forces 'Fire On Funeral'

Syrian security forces fired tear gas and bullets during a funeral for demonstrators killing one in the capital Damascus, according to reports on Saturday.

The funeral procession in Damascus "turned into protests", the head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdul Rahman, told AFP news agency.

According to reports 30,000 demonstrators were in the Syrian capital during the funeral for three young people.

The latest incident in 11 months of anti-government protests in the country came as China's vice foreign minister called on all sides to halt the violence.

Anti-Syrian regime activist Khaled Abu-Salah stands in front of flames and black smoke from a bombed oil pipeline

Zhai Jun was quoted on Syrian TV saying: "The position of China is to call on the government, the opposition and the rebels to halt acts of violence immediately.

"We hope that the referendum on a new constitution as well as the forthcoming parliamentary elections pass off calmly."

In a meeting with French president Nicolas Sarkozy, the two reaffirmed their commitment to find a meaningful international response to the violence, which has so far proven elusive.

The move came as the UN General Assembly voted in favour by an overwhelming majority for a resolution calling for an end to the violence against civilians

Just 12 countries voted against the resolution, which also called on President Bashar al-Assad to resign.

They included Russia and China, who previously vetoed a similar resolution in the Security Council, as well as Iran, North Korea, Zimbabwe and Cuba, along with Syria itself.

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