World leaders at the G8 summit in France have condemned a crackdown on anti-government protests in Syria.
A communique issued at the end of the summit in Normandy said they were ''appalled'' at the killing of peaceful protesters and called on the regime to ''stop using force and intimidation'' against its people.
The BBC reports Russia insisted on softening the wording of the statement.
A threat of UN Security Council sanctions was dropped in favour of more general warning of ''further measures''.
Meanwhile, security forces reportedly killed two demonstrators on Friday in a suburb of Damascus and fired at protesters in the eastern city of Deir al-Zor.
Small demonstrations also broke out in other areas.
