Syria tense ahead of expected protests

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13167433

21 April 2011 Last updated at 23:59 ET

Syria tense ahead of expected protests

Security has been stepped up in Syria ahead of what protesters say will be the

biggest rallies so far against President Bashar al-Assad's government.

Troops have reportedly been deployed in the flashpoint city of Homs ahead of

Friday prayers, which have become the trigger for intensifying protests.

In concessions to protesters on Thursday, President Assad formally ended five

decades of emergency rule.

Human rights groups say more than 200 people have died in weeks of protests.