At least three people were killed in a tank and sniper fire in the suburb of Harasta in Damascus on Friday, activists say, in the first violation of a ceasefire between the Syrian army and rebel forces.

A video posted online showed a man lying in a car after he was reportedly shot dead by sniper fire in Harasta.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) say three protesters were wounded by gunfire the southern province of Deraa.

According to Reuters, heavy fighting has also broken out near a military base located less than 1km from the main north-south highway linking Damascus to Aleppo.