BEIRUT – Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad performed Eid prayers in a Damascus mosque on Sunday, state television showed, his first appearance in public since a stunning July bombing in the capital 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. 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,” while clapping their hands over their heads. “May God protect the Free Syrian Army!” they also cried, referring to the main rebel group fighting to topple Assad. Syrian state TV broadcast footage showing Assad praying at the city's Rihab Al-Hamad mosque, a relatively small mosque in Al-Muhajireen district only few hundred meters from the presidential palace. Residents of Damascus said security forces blocked streets and encircled several central mosques in the capital from Saturday evening, possibly to confuse people about where Assad would attend the traditional holiday prayers. Unlike previous years, Assad was not shown arriving or leaving in his convoy. He was pictured seated cross-legged on the mosque floor, wearing a suit and tie, and later, standing and briefly shaking hands with officials before leaving. “All this points to a state of confusion and lack of confidence at the leadership level,” said Syria-based activist Mohammad Saeed. “It shows they don't have security in the capital under control.” Assad's appearance comes amid much speculation on the whereabouts of Vice President Farouk Al-Sharaa, who was said by some members of the Free Syrian Army to have defected to the opposition. On Saturday, his office denied the reports. Al-Sharaa was not shown in the footage at the mosque with Assad, but observers said the two rarely attend the same functions for security reasons. In attendance were Foreign Minister Walid Al-Moualem and Prime Minister Wael Al-Halki. He is the replacement for Riyad Hijab, a Sunni who has joined the opposition to Assad since his defection was announced on Aug. 6. The last time Assad appeared in public was on July 4 when he gave a speech in parliament. – Agencies
