EDITORS NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL<br/> <br />Syrian government troops train for combat near Damascus.<br/> <br />Footage broadcast on Syrian state television shows soldiers conducting a number of military drills in a display of strength and skill.<br/> <br />Watching the event is Interior Minister Mohammad al-Shaar, who also presided over a graduation for new recruits.<br/> <br />Shaar told the ceremony that Syria would emerge stronger from its battle with rebel fighters, who have been trying to bring down the government for the past 20 months.<br/> <br />He said soldiers engaging with rebel forces were "heroes".<br/> <br />The event came as rebels appeared to make gains by storming army bases in the country.<br/> <br />The ongoing conflict has now claimed some 40,000 lives.<br/> <br />In the capital on Wednesday (November 28), two car bombs killed more than 30 people in an area loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.
