Syrians carry picture of President Bashar al-Assad during a demonstration in Damascus on April 30, 2012. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says his government has successfully overcome the political crisis and the deadly violence in the country. “Syria has been able to overcome the pressures and threats it has faced for years and is able to get out of this crisis thanks to the strength of its people... 

Syrians anti and pro-Assad protesters clash after Friday prayers in Damascus, Syria, Friday, March 25, 2011. Thousands of Syrians took to the streets Friday demanding reforms and mourning dozens of protesters who were killed during a violent, week long crackdown that has brought extraordinary pressure on the country’s autocratic regime, activists and witnesses said. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad...