Russia Says No Need for New Sanctions on Syria

DEAUVILLE, France -- Russia's president says there is no need to slap any new sanctions on Syria.

President Dmitry Medvedev said at a news conference Friday following the Group of Eight summit in Deauville, France, that additional sanctions wouldn't help.

At the same time, he said that Syrian President Bashar Assad should introduce democratic reforms and stop using violence against opposition protesters.

His comments came after Syrian security forces opened fire on anti-government demonstrations Friday, killing at least eight people as thousands took to the streets, despite the near-certainty they will face gunfire, tear gas and stun guns.

The 10-week protest movement in Syria has evolved from a disparate movement demanding reforms to a resilient uprising that is now seeking Assad's ouster.