Syrian forces shot dead 44 protesters

Syrian forces opened fire at protesters leaving dozens dead amid protest against the regime of President Bashar al Assad.The National Organisation for Human Rights in Syria, whose leader Ammar Qurabi is currently in Turkey, said most of the deaths occurred in the northern province of Idlib and the central region of Homs.Defying an unrelenting government crackdown, thousands of Syrians flooded the streets across the country. Authorities responded with suppression, causing the large number of casualties, right groups say.The latest deaths bring to at least 900 the number of civilians killed since the uprising began, according to human rights group tallies.