Thousands rally for embattled Syria president

TENS of thousands of Syrians thronged a main square of the Syrian capital and nearby streets yesterday in a huge show of support for embattled President Bashar Assad, as he struggles to quell a seven-month-old uprising. Opponents charge such rallies are staged by the regime.

International pressure is building on Assad to step down over his regime’s bloody crackdown on anti- government protests that the UN says has left nearly 3,000 people dead.

Yesterday’s demonstration was intended to show that Assad still enjoys the support of many Syrians. the gathering was huge in comparison with frequent, almost daily anti-regime protests across the country since March which are often met by tear gas and gunfire from police and security forces.