Tens of thousands of Syrians yesterday packed into a main square of the capital Damascus in a show of support for President Bashar Assad, as he struggles to quell a seven-month-old uprising.

International pressure is building on Mr Assad to step down over his regime’s crackdown on anti-government protests that the UN says has left nearly 3,000 people dead.

Yesterday’s demonstration was intended to show that Mr Assad still enjoys the support of many Syrians. The gathering was huge in comparison with frequent, almost daily anti-regime protests across the country since March which are often met by tear gas and gunfire from police and security forces.

Organisers said the Damascus rally was also meant to thank Russia and China for blocking a UN Security Council resolution condemning Syria for its brutal crackdown. Their vetoes last week drew heavy criticism from the US.

The demonstrators converged on the Damascus square, waving Syrian flags and pictures of Assad, as well as Russian and Chinese flags.

Some wore white T-shirts with a photo of Assad with the Arabic word “Minhibbak,” or “we love you”. Previous “Minhibbak” pro-Assad demonstrations have been mocked by the opposition and dismissed as staged events.

Speakers, including schoolchildren, read poetry in praise of Mr Assad.