Life in Syrian capital relatively calm

Life became relatively calm on Friday in several areas near the Syrian capital of Damascus, with heavy army and security presence in some suburbs that witnessed massive protests over the past six months. A heavy security and army presence was noticed at the entrances of some hotspot suburbs near Damascus, including Maadamiyah, Daraya, Harasta and Douma. In Damascus' central Midan neighborhood, pro- and anti- government protests were seen that only lasted for a couple of minutes. In Harasta and Douma, which have emerged as hubs of protests, there were about five army check points along the main road that connects Harasta to Douma. An eye witness in Douma told Xinhua reporter that a small anti- government rally was held there but was dispersed quickly. Meanwhile, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said that an army officer was injured by armed groups in Zamalka area near Damascus, without giving further details. Al-Jazeera cited activists and witnesses as saying that at least nine people were killed Friday as thousands of people thronged to streets demanding the ouster of President Bashar al- Assad. The report couldn't be verified as there were no official comments on the civilian toll. Syria has been wracked by six-month unrest that it blamed on foreign conspiracy and foreign thugs. Syrian president's political and media adviser Buthayna Shaaban recently put the number of army officers and law-enforcement troops killed since the eruption of protests in Syria in mid March at 800, while a recent UN tally put the number of civilians who were killed at 2,900.