Assad makes first appearance since bombing

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad attended prayers in a Damascus mosque to mark the start of a Muslim holiday yesterday, his first appearance in public since the bombing last month that killed four of his top security officials.

Elsewhere in the country, thousands staged anti-government protests in mosques and cemeteries following special prayers marking Eid al-Fitr, the three-day holiday that ends the holy fasting month of Ramadan. Pious Muslims traditionally visit graves and recite prayers for the dead on the holiday.

Amateur video posted by activists on the internet show a large group of worshippers in a mosque at al-Zahera district in Damascus shouting “There is no God but Allah” and “Assad is the enemy of God”.