Fresh anti-government protests have erupted in several Syrian cities after Friday prayers, despite heavy security. Witnesses said thousands of people took to the streets demanding freedom. The state news agency said protesters were calling for reforms to be speeded up. Reports suggest four protesters died as security forces opened fire in the Damascus suburb of Duma. Activists had declared Friday as the Day of Martyrs to honour dozens of people who were killed during two weeks of protests. President Bashar al-Assad said earlier this week that demonstrations were part of a foreign plot. He however set up a legal committee to look into lifting unpopular emergency laws which are in place since 1963.