<p> Syrian security forces today fired live rounds and tear gas at thousands of people marching in a funeral procession that turned into a protest in Damascus, activists said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>It was one of the largest demonstrations in the capital since the 11-month-old uprising against President Bashar Assad began.<br /><br />Several people were reported wounded and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said security forces dispersed the protesters and were conducting a campaign of raids and arrests in the Mazzeh district.<br /><br />The fresh violence erupted during a visit by an envoy from China, which along with Russia recently supported Syria by vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that would have condemned Assad's regime.<br /><br />Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun called on all parties to stop violence that has killed more than 5,400 people since March of last year, according to the UN.<br /><br />The funeral procession in Damascus was held for three people killed by security forces on Friday following protests in the area. The activist network Local Coordination Committees said a few people were wounded and several people also suffered difficulties breathing from tear gas.<br /><br />An activist who witnessed the violence said the procession numbered around 15,000, making it among the largest anti-government gatherings in regime-controlled central Damascus since the start of the revolt inspired by other Arab Spring uprisings around the Middle East and North Africa.</p>
<p> Syrian security forces today fired live rounds and tear gas at thousands of people marching in a funeral procession that turned into a protest in Damascus, activists said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>It was one of the largest demonstrations in the capital since the 11-month-old uprising against President Bashar Assad began.<br /><br />Several people were reported wounded and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said security forces dispersed the protesters and were conducting a campaign of raids and arrests in the Mazzeh district.<br /><br />The fresh violence erupted during a visit by an envoy from China, which along with Russia recently supported Syria by vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that would have condemned Assad's regime.<br /><br />Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun called on all parties to stop violence that has killed more than 5,400 people since March of last year, according to the UN.<br /><br />The funeral procession in Damascus was held for three people killed by security forces on Friday following protests in the area. The activist network Local Coordination Committees said a few people were wounded and several people also suffered difficulties breathing from tear gas.<br /><br />An activist who witnessed the violence said the procession numbered around 15,000, making it among the largest anti-government gatherings in regime-controlled central Damascus since the start of the revolt inspired by other Arab Spring uprisings around the Middle East and North Africa.</p>