BEIJING, Jan. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- n President Bashar al-Assad attended a religious ceremony in the capital Damascus on Thursday.

Assad performed special prayers with Syrian ministers at the Afram Mosque -- the highest Sunni religious authority in the country -- to mark the birthday of the Muslim Prophet Mohammad. Syrian state television broadcast pictures of Assad at the ceremony.

Assad’s last public appearance was on January 6th, when he outlined his vision for a political solution to end nearly 22 months of conflict. In his speech, he blamed Islamic extremists and "outside forces", and called for a national dialogue to form a transitional government. The speech was dismissed by Syrian rebel and opposition groups.

(Source: CNTV.cn)