Syrian forces beat protesters at mosque

Syrian security forces and President Bashar al-Assad loyalists attacked protesters with batons as they left the Rifaii mosque in the Kfar Sousseh district of Damascus after Friday prayers, a witness said.

Around 200 worshippers chanted slogans in support of the southern city of Deraa, where protests erupted against Baathist rule two weeks ago.

At least six protesters were arrested and dozens where beaten as they made their way out of the mosque, the witness said by telephone from the mosque complex.