Thousands of supporters of the Syrian regime were today gathering in a square in the capital Damascus to voice anger at the Arab League's vote to suspend the country over its bloody crackdown on protesters, state television reported.

The protest follows angry demonstrations last night that saw supporters of Syrian president Bashar Assad attacking the Qatari and Saudi embassies in the city.

The Saudi media said that protesters managed to enter the kingdom's compound and ransack some parts within it.

The Arab League decision was a sharp rebuke and humiliating blow to the Syrian regime. It is unlikely, however, to immediately end a wave of violence against anti-regime protesters that the UN estimates has killed more than 3,500 people since mid-March.

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