Dozens Protest in Jerusalem Supporting Syria

Dozens of protesters gathered in front of the U.S. consulate in west Jerusalem on Saturday in support of the embattled Syrian regime of Bashar Assad.

Arab-Israeli and Palestinian protesters waved Syrian flags and held portraits of Assad, an Agence France Presse photographer reported. Israeli police and security guards deployed outside the consulate did not intervene.

"Down with imperialism and the reactionary conspiracy against Syria," one banner read. Another said: "Hands off Syria."

Other signs denounced Qatar and the Arab League, accusing both of joining a common front with the Unites States against Damascus.

The protest came hours before an Arab League deadline for Damascus to stop its lethal crackdown on a popular revolt and a day after Syrian security forces killed at least 15 civilians.