Syrian security forces killed at least 13 people today during mass protests against the regime of President Bashar Assad, activists said.
The UN estimates the government crackdown on the protests has killed 3,000 people since March.
Today's death toll was given by the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Co-ordinating Committees.
Activists claimed the government disrupted telephone and internet links in a bid to hamper the protests.
The deaths were mostly in Homs and Hama in central Syria.
Majd Amer, an activist in Homs said sporadic gunfire could be heard as protesters poured out of mosques following Friday prayers.
The Syrian government insists the unrest is being driven by terrorists and foreign extremists looking to stir up sectarian strife.