Manama: Hundreds of Syrian expatriates have held a rare rally in Doha in support of the protests in their home country, Qatari media reported.
The gathering, the first of its kind, took place on Tuesday evening following online calls and was allowed by the interior ministry, Qatar Tribune reported on Wednesday.
Qatar was the first Gulf Cooperation Country (GCC) to recall its ambassador in Damascus after its embassy was attacked with stones and eggs on July 11, the same day the US and French diplomatic missions were targeted.
Officials in Doha later said that Damascus apologized for the attack, but Qatar did not send back its ambassador to Syria, Zayed Al Khayarine, and suspended work at the embassy.
The two countries enjoyed cordial relations, but ties were strained after Damascus criticized the coverage of the Doha-based pan-Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera of the events in Syria since mid-March.
Damascus has repeatedly accused Al Jazeera of bias and exaggeration.
Fellow GCC members Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain also recalled their ambassadors to Syria this month "for consultations."
