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Syria’s Assad makes rare appearance for Eid prayers


BEIRUT | Sun Aug 19, (Reuters) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad performed prayers in a Damascus mosque marking the start of the Muslim Eid holiday on Sunday, state television showed, his first appearance in public since a July bombing that killed four members of his security brass.

Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad (3rd L) attends Eid Al Fitr prayers at al-Hamad mosque in Damascus August 19, 2012, in this handout photograph released by Syria’s national news agency SANA. REUTERS/Sana/Handout

Opposition activists reported anti-government protests at cemeteries and mosques around Syria including Damascus, Hama and Idlib at the outset of the three-day Eid al-Fitr feast, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Assad, battling a 17-month-old uprising against 42 years of rule by his family, was accompanied to the Damascus mosque by his prime minister and foreign minister but not his vice president, Farouq al-Shara, whose reported defection was denied the previous day.

His administration shaken by the July 18 bomb attack in Damascus and defections including that of his last prime minister, Assad’s recent appearances had been restricted to state television footage of him during official business. He was shown swearing in the new prime minister a week ago.

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