Syrian security forces shot dead at least 34 demonstrators in the city of Hama yesterday as they dispersed an anti-regime rally of more than 50,000 people, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

“At least 34 people were killed in Hama by security forces but the toll could still rise as there are still people who are gravely wounded,” said Rami Abdel Rahman who heads the London-based Syrian observatory for human rights.

Elsewhere, security forces killed one civilian when they opened fire to disperse a protest in the village of Has in the province of Idlib, he added.

“Today’s demonstrations are the largest yet since the start of the protest movement and come despite the amnesty announced,” by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Wednesday, said Abdel Rahman.

“This shows the people no longer trust the regime,” he said.

The official Sana news agency initially reported “hundreds of people gathered after Friday prayers in Hama chanting diverse slogans” but that security forces and police had stayed away.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon yesterday expressed alarm at the escalation of the Syrian government crackdown on protests and said there were now more than 1,000 dead.