By Khaled Yacoub Oweis
AMMAN 
(Reuters) - Syrian security forces shot dead seven people on Tuesday during clashes in two cities between President Bashar al-Assad's loyalists and protesters demanding his removal, a leading activist said.
The violence followed rallies organised by authorities in several cities in support of Assad, whose 11-year rule has been challenged by a three-month popular uprising, prompting him to promise reforms on Monday, which were dismissed by protesters and world leaders as inadequate.
