Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
The Syrian President Bashar al-Assad tried keep up the pretence that it was business as usual yesterday as he attended prayers for the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr, but the rare public appearance gave clues to the pressures he is facing.
As demonstrators took to the streets across the country on the feast day that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, state media broadcast footage of the embattled premier in public for the first time since a bomb blast killed four of his closest advisors.
And activists jumped on the absence of the vice-president at his side as proof that the regime stalwart has defected, while the choice of mosque was also cited as evidence that his grip on security has loosened.
Flanked by ministers and religious officials, Assad sat cross-legged as the sermon described Syria as the victim of a conspiracy perpetrated by the West, Israel and the Arab world to bring terrorism to its shores.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments