In Syria, at least six people have died after security forces fired on protesters outside a mosque in the city of Deraa. Hundreds of people had gathered in the streets outside the Omari mosque which has been the focus of anti-government demonstrations. Officials blamed Wednesday's violence on an armed gang and said there had been weapons inside the mosque. UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay earlier urged the Syrian government to end the use of excessive force. She said, people have the legitimate right to express their grievances and demands to their government. The EU has also strongly condemned the crackdown.