Syrian tanks fire on Homs,9 killed

The opposition vowed to flood the streets Friday to test whether the regime will stop using force against peaceful protesters. May Friday be the day where all streets and squares become platforms for demonstrations,and for the peaceful struggle toward achieving the downfall of the regime, said a Syrian activist coalition called the Local Coordinating Committees.

The uprising shows no signs of stopping despite a government crackdown that the UN estimates has killed 3,000 people. The capture and death of Muammar Gaddafi last month only served to invigorate the Syrian protesters,many of whom carry signs and chant slogans warning President Bashar Assad that he will be the next dictator to go.

The latest bloodshed cast a pall over the Arab League accord announced Wednesday in Cairo. Under the plan,the Syrian government agreed to pull tanks and armoured vehicles out of cities,stop violence against protesters and release all political prisoners. Syria also agreed to allow journalists,rights groups and Arab League representatives to monitor the countrys situation.