Syrian President Bashar al-Assad gives a surprise address to thousands of his supporters gathered in a central Damascus square.<br/> One day after he denied any policy of killing protesters during a rare televised address, Assad told the crowd that he was one with the people of Syria and that he would do what it takes to protect them against foreign conspirators.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD, SAYING:<br/> "The important thing is to have faith in the future, and I have faith in the future and in you, because we will win without a doubt. They have reached the end of their conspiracy. We will make this phase the end for them and their plans."<br/> Many of Assad's supporters have condemned the Arab League's decision to suspend Syrian membership, and the imposition of economic sanctions.<br/> Syria has barred most independent media from crossing its border, making it difficult to determine what's really happening on the ground.<br/> But the U.N. says more than 5,000 civilians have been killed by security forces as part of a crackdown on peaceful protests over the last 10 months.<br/> Meanwhile, Syrian authorities say they are battling Islamist militant groups who have killed 2,000 members of the country's armed forces.<br/> Travis Brecher, Reuters
