Syrian security forces fired bullets and tear gas at pro-democracy demonstrations across the country today, killing at least 49 people – including a young boy – in the bloodiest day of the uprising against President Bashar Assad’s authoritarian regime, witnesses and a human rights group said.

Syrian security forces fired live bullets and tear gas on pro-democracy demonstrations across the country today, killing at least 27 people – including a young boy – as the uprising against President Bashar Assad’s authoritarian regime defied a deadly security crackdown, witnesses said.