Syria: Protests sweep the country

THOUSANDS of people joined anti-government protests in Syria yesterday, buoyed by the opposition’s control of a town near the Syrian capital.

But at least eight people were killed by security forces across the country, activists said.

One of the largest demonstrations was in the mountain town of Zabadani, where 12,000 took to the streets to celebrate their success in repelling government troops.

President Bashar al-Assad’s forces had attacked Zabadani, 17 miles west of Damascus, for six days, sparking fierce fighting. But on Wednesday, government tanks and armoured vehicles pulled back, leaving the opposition in control of the town.