Syrian security officials killed at least 14 people Saturday when they fired live ammunition to disperse thousands of mourners attending the funerals of some of those who died in an earlier government crackdown on protesters, activists said.
A Syrian activist based in Daraa told the German Press Agency dpa that six people were killed as "the people of Daraa and nearby Houran region" gathered to mourn 23 people who were killed in Azraa during Friday's protests.
Witnesses said eight people were killed in two different suburbs in the capital, Damascus.
A doctor in the Damascus suburb of Barza said activists set up a field hospital in a undisclosed location to save those injured.
A resident in Azraa said he saw security forces entering Daraa's hospital and arresting all those who were hospitalized there after being injured in Friday's violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.
Thousands of people joined the funerals of some of the victims of the country's "Good Friday Massacre," which saw at least 112 people die in the latest clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces, according to a list of names published on the internet by the February 5 for Peaceful Change in Syria group.
Around 32 protesters were killed Friday in the town of Azraa, near Daraa. In Rif Dimshasq province, 31 were dead; as were 16 in different suburbs of Damascus; 27 in Homs; 5 in Hamah; and one in Lattakia.
Two Sunni Muslim members of parliament, Khalil al-Rifaa and Nasser al-Hariri from Daraa city, announced their resignation on Saturday to protest the violence.
"If I can't protect my people from security bullets, being a member of parliament has no meaning," al-Hairir told the Al Jazeera news channel.
Friday was the deadliest single day during five weeks, so far, of mass protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Rallies were held one day after al-Assad approved lifting the 48-year-old state of emergency, which had widely curbed freedoms and the right to assembly by banning unauthorized protests. It also gave the government sweeping powers to crackdown on dissidents.
The State Security Court was also abolished. However, Syrians will still have to apply for a permit to protest.
Churches announced there would be no outdoor Easter celebrations because of safety concerns and out of respect for those who were killed.
Meanwhile, the Syrian state-run news Agency SANA quoted a high- ranking army official as saying: "The Syrian armed forces will confront anyone who will try to attack army units or soldiers."
Official media outlets said late Friday that security forces intervened in the protests, firing tear gas and water cannons "to prevent clashes between protesters and citizens and protect public property."
They said that eight people were killed and 28 injured when an armed group carrying knives, sticks and gasoline containers attacked a government building and its guards in Azraa with rocks and firearms.
The president and state media have repeatedly blamed conspirators for the deadly unrest. Protesters are seeking broad reforms and greater freedom. Some have gone further, calling for al-Assad's ouster.
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