Syrian opposition protesters are planning to take to the streets again in defiance of an intense and deadly government crackdown on their demonstrations.
Another "Day of Rage" is planned after Friday prayers, in what has become a weekly outpouring of anger and dissent against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
Syria's banned Muslim Brotherhood has for the first time directly joined the call for protests. The group urged citizens to take to the streets in a statement saying "do not let the tyrant enslave you."
In Geneva, the U.N. Human Rights Council has opened debate on a U.S. resolution calling for the creation of an independent commission to probe allegations of rights abuses in Syria.
The U.N. Security Council failed earlier this week to agree on a statement condemning Syria's violence against protesters following resistance to the move by Syria's allies on the council - Russia, China and Lebanon.
Hundreds of people have been killed in Syria since pro-democracy demonstrations first erupted six weeks ago. Much of the violence has taken place in the southern city of Daraa, which has become the center of the protest movement.
The government has sent soldiers into Daraa in the past week, backed by tanks and snipers, keeping residents off the streets.
There are also reports that Syrian army units have clashed with each other in Daraa, because soldiers from one unit refused orders to fire on civilians. The military released a statement Wednesday denying any splits within its ranks.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.