Activists in Syria say the security forces have killed at least 20 people as thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets, despite President Assad's

assurance

that military operations had stopped. They said most of the deaths were in Deraa province. Jim Muir reports from Beirut.

This was one of several suburbs of the capital Damascus where demonstrations

broke out

after Friday prayers and were met with gunfire from security forces. At least two people were reported killed in the suburbs, more in Homs - the country's third biggest city. But the majority of the killings, according to activists, were in three towns

close to

the city of Deraa, in the far south, where the uprising began five long months ago. The government had a different version of events. It said that gunmen opened fire in several places both on worshippers and on security forces, killing at least two policemen.

Egypt has made a formal protest to Israel over the deaths of five Egyptian security personnel on Thursday. They were killed as Israeli forces pursued militants who'd carried out attacks near the Egyptian border leaving eight Israelis dead. Cairo has urged Israel to investigate the deaths. The Egyptian army is leading its own inquiry into the incident, which has

spark

ed anti-Israeli protests in Cairo.

The start of the Spanish football season this weekend will be delayed after negotiations to prevent a strike by players failed. Many players, mostly in the second division, haven't been paid for months as clubs face severe financial difficulties. They are demanding greater protection for their wages.