Syrian activists say 200,000 protesters have gathered in Homs on Friday, the largest demonstration yet in the restive city that has been the epicenter of a nine-month uprising.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told VOA that security forces fired on protesters in Homs as they gathered after Friday prayers. Activists say one person was shot dead and two children were wounded.

Activists say Friday's protest in Homs is the second biggest demonstration in the Syrian uprising after a half-million people gathered in Hama several months ago.

The observatory also says security forces opened fire in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour to prevent protesters from taking to the streets. No deaths have been confirmed.

The violence comes as Russia takes a toughened stance on President Bashar al-Assad's government, urging it to stop the bloody crackdown on protesters.

The U.N. estimates that some 5,000 people have been killed since the uprising began in February. Syria's U.N. ambassador has rejected that figure as “incredible.”

Moscow's new resolution is raising hopes of U.N. action in Syria.

Western powers welcomed Russia's proposal, but said it is insufficient since it stops short of calling for sanctions. Russia and China blocked earlier resolution efforts supported by several of the 15 member countries of the U.N. Security Council.

On Thursday, Syrian army defectors killed 27 soldiers in apparent coordinated attacks , heightening concerns of a civil war.