Syrian public support Bashar Assad presidency

On the day after the death of President Assad, thousands of Syrians have taken to the streets of Damascus, chanting allegiance to his son, Bashar Assad.

The expressions of public support for Bashar Assad came as the Syrian government moved to bolster his position as successor head of state -- promoting him to the rank of lieutenant-general and naming him commander of the Syrian armed forces.

The BBC Middle East correspondent, who's in Damascus, says Sunday's demonstrations went beyond outpourings of grief at the loss of President Assad -- they were a show of defiance, effectively seeking a dynastic handover of power.

But our correspondent says that while people-power is important, challenges to Bashar Assad's authority are strong and he must win over the military to consolidate his position.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service