Five protesters were killed on Friday in the restive cities of Homs and Daraa by security forces, pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV reported.

According to al-Jazeera, security forces used live bullets to disperse peaceful demonstrations that took to the streets after Friday prayers in various cities across the country.

Thousands of anti-government protesters rallied in cities of Damascus, Homs, Daraa, Banias, al-Boukamal in what activists had dubbed as "Friday of freedom", witnessed said.

Syrian rights groups say that security forces have killed at least 900 Syrians, while over 9,000 people have been jailed or gone missing since the pro-democracy protests erupted across the country two months ago.