Pro-Assad rallies held in Syria as deadline approaches

As many as 1,000 Syrians assembled in capital Damascus to stage a support rally for the government to mark the 65th founding anniversary of the ruling Baath Arab Socialist Party.Pro-government demonstrators also gathered at the Sabaa Bahrat Square in the city center to voice their loyalty to President al-Assasd and disapproval of a foreign intervention as the deadline for the peace deal approaches.Waving national flags as well as the ruling partys flags, supporters approved the reform process which critics have complained as rather slow.People said they hoped the Baath Arab Socialist Party would continue to stay in power and lead other parties.Similar celebrations were also held in other cities including Idlib and Tartus, according to Syrias official news agency.To celebrate its anniversary, the Baath Arab Socialist Party issued a statement detailing its main intention to participate in the forthcoming parliamentary elections on May 7 and support the multi-party reforms proposed by President Bashar al-Assad.