Syria unrest: Huge turnout at Damascus pro-Assad rally

Tens of thousands of Syrians have rallied in support of President Bashar al-Assad in the capital Damascus.

Some held placards saying "the army and people are with you, Bashar al-Assad" and "Syria is our country and Assad our president", reported AFP news agency.

Others thanked Russia and China for blocking a UN resolution condemning Syria's crackdown last week.

The UN says nearly 3,000 Syrians have died since anti-government protests began in March.

Jim Muir reports.