Syria Steps Up Military Efforts to End Protests

Syria has stepped up its military crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations as international pressure mounts against the government's actions.

Witnesses reported hearing gunfire on Tuesday in the flashpoint city of Daraa, where a military siege to end pro-democracy demonstrations has entered its second day.

Residents are reportedly too afraid to venture out in Daraa. Human rights activists and witnesses say at least 20 people were killed on Monday after hundreds of Syrian troops and tanks entered the city to quash demonstrations.

Also,Reuters news agency says Syrian security forces are deployed near the coastal city of Banias on Tuesday.

More than 350 people have been killed during Syria's crackdown since pro-democracy protests erupted last month. Also, the Syrian rights organization Sawasiah said Tuesday that the government has arrested at least 500 people since the start of crackdown.

Meanwhile, an increasing number of world powers are criticizing the crackdown and urging Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to exercise restraint.

On Tuesday, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and French President Nicolas Sarkozy urged Syria to show moderation and halt the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan phoned Mr. Assad on Tuesday and urged him to show restraint.

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague called on Syria to end the crackdown, adding that his country is working with its international partners to persuade Syrian authorities to respect basic and universal human rights.

The United States condemned the violence against Syrian citizens, calling it completely deplorable.

President Assad last week ended the country's 48-year-old emergency law a key demand of protesters and abolished a state security court. But the government then took other steps to crush demonstrations.!