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footage posted on activist pages, a group of men could be seen
ripping a banner portraying Assad's face that was hanging above
the local branch of the Farmers' Union.
They then proceeded to weld shut the doors of the offices.
Criticism of Assad has been growing in Sweida since
demonstrations began in mid-August over the removal of fuel
subsidies, the latest in a string of measures that have put a
strain on people suffering from an economic meltdown.
Sweida is capital of a province of the same name that is home to
most of Syria's minority Druze sect. The city remained in
government hands throughout the civil war and was largely spared
the violence seen elsewhere.
Open criticism of the government has been rare in
government-controlled areas of the country, but the economic
situation has prompted public discontent that is increasingly
directed at Assad.
In Sweida city, hundreds gathered in Karama Square on Friday as
the protests, carrying the multi-coloured Druze flag.
"We raised our voices and Assad ran in fear!" the crowds
chanted. "Hey Bashar, we don't want you!"
Earlier this week, demonstrators tore down a portrait of
Bashar's father, former President Hafez al-Assad, that had been
hanging on a government building and smashed a bust of his head,
slapping it with their shoes.
Residents of other government-held parts of Syria - where
restrictions are tighter - have made more discrete gestures of
protest to avoid detection by government forces.
(Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Frances Kerry)
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