Syrian security forces have renewed attacks on the city of Hama on the second day of a crackdown on anti-government protesters, activists and witnesses say.
Tanks opened fire after a night of sporadic shooting, Hama-based activist Omar Hamawi told AP news agency.
One unconfirmed report said four people died in a north-eastern district.
Security forces killed scores of people in the city on Sunday. Activists say about 130 died across the country.
The BBC's Jim Muir, in Beirut, say Hama still seems to be largely under the control of its own inhabitants rather than the government.
Tanks and troops which had tried to take control of the city on Sunday, withdrew to the outskirts overnight but now seem to be pushing ahead again, he adds.
Intense shooting also broke out in the eastern city of Deir al-Zour overnight, Rami Abdul-Rahman, the head of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said.
Government attempts to crush continuing protests across Syria has brought strong international condemnation.
Russia, in its strongest criticism yet of President Bashar al-Assad, called for an end to "repressions".
"The use of force against both peaceful civilians and representatives of state structures is unacceptable and should be stopped immediately," the foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Earlier, US President Barack Obama said he was "appalled" by the Syrian government's use of brutality.
Germany and Italy have called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation. Germany is currently a member of the council.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14363559
Note: Update Record, 1 August 2011 Last updated at 11:19 GMT