Damascus, May 21 (IANS) At least 44 Syrians were killed in Friday's anti-government protests, an Al-Jazeera TV report quoted the national organisation for human rights as saying Saturday, Xinhua reported.

 
 Most of deaths occurred in the provinces of Homs and Idlib, the organisation stated.
 
 According to human rights activists, the security forces have killed 960 citizens so far during the anti-government protests sweeping Syria since mid-March.
 
 On Friday, thousands of anti-government protesters rallied in Syrian cities of Damascus, Homs, Daraa, Banias, al-Boukamal and Idlib to hold what activists have dubbed "Friday of freedom," said witnesses.