Syrian protests turn deadly

Beirut, A Public mass protest calling for sweeping changes in Syria's authoritarian regime turned bloody, with the government and protesters both claiming to have sustained heavy casualties as the country's three-week uprising entered a dangerous new phase.Human rights activists and witnesses said Syrian security forces opened fire on tens of thousands of protesters in the volatile southern city of Daraa, killing 25 people and wounding hundreds. But state-run TV said 19 policemen and members of the security forces were killed when gunmen opened fire on them.It was the first significant claim of casualties by the Syrian government, which has contended that armed gangs rather than true reform-seekers are behind the unrest — and it could signal plans for a stepped-up retaliation.