Assad visits displaced Syrians outside Damascus - TV
Assad has made few public appearances since the Syrian conflict began three years ago. Wednesday's trip underlined his increasing confidence just 18 months after rebels appeared to be challenging his control over the capital
A girl receives soup from workers of Kafaf, a charitable foundation, at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus
A girl receives soup from workers of Kafaf, a charitable foundation, at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus, March 12, 2014. Only around 20,000 residents remain in Yarmouk, living under a siege which started in late 2012 but was tightened in July last year when fighters from al Qaeda's Nusra Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, which had moved into the district, clashed with the army. REUTERS/Mohamad Mohamad (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT SOCIETY)
Workers from Kafaf, a charitable foundation, distribute food to residents at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus
Workers from Kafaf, a charitable foundation, distribute food to residents at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus, March 12, 2014. Only around 20,000 residents remain in Yarmouk, living under a siege which started in late 2012 but was tightened in July last year when fighters from al Qaeda's Nusra Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, which had moved into the district, clashed with the army. REUTERS/Mohamad Mohamad (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Workers from Kafaf, a charitable foundation, prepare food for distribution to the residents at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus
Workers from Kafaf, a charitable foundation, prepare food for distribution to the residents at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus, March 12, 2014. Only around 20,000 residents remain in Yarmouk, living under a siege which started in late 2012 but was tightened in July last year when fighters from al Qaeda's Nusra Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, which had moved into the district, clashed with the army. REUTERS/Mohamad Mohamad (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT SOCIETY)
People queue to receive food from Kafaf, a charitable foundation, at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus
People queue to receive food from Kafaf, a charitable foundation, at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus, March 12, 2014. Only around 20,000 residents remain in Yarmouk, living under a siege which started in late 2012 but was tightened in July last year when fighters from al Qaeda's Nusra Front and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, which had moved into the district, clashed with the army. REUTERS/Mohamad Mohamad (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT SOCIETY)
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy walks with crutches towards his home as he is helped by his friend Mohamad Qanawati in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy walks with crutches towards his home as he is assisted by his friend Mohamad Qanawati in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr March 12, 2014. Homsy, who was wounded and disabled in 2012 by shelling from forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, has decided to go back to school despite his injuries - helped by Qanawati who accompanies him everywhere. REUTERS/Aref Alkrez (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy is assisted by his friend Mohamad Qanawati as they head home after school in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy is assisted by his friend Mohamad Qanawati as they head home after school in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr March 12, 2014. Homsy, who was wounded and disabled in 2012 by shelling from forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, has decided to go back to school despite his injuries - helped by Qanawati who accompanies him everywhere. REUTERS/Aref Alkrez (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy attends a class in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy attends a class in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr March 12, 2014. Homsy, who was wounded and disabled in 2012 by shelling from forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, has decided to go back to school despite his injuries - helped by Qanawati who accompanies him everywhere. REUTERS/Aref Alkrez (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy sits on his wheelchair as he is assisted by his friend Mohamad Qanawati in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy sits on his wheelchair as he is assisted by his friend Mohamad Qanawati in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr March 12, 2014. Homsy, who was wounded and disabled in 2012 by shelling from forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, has decided to go back to school despite his injuries - helped by Qanawati who accompanies him everywhere. REUTERS/Aref Alkrez (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy chats as he is assisted by his friend Mohamad Qanawati in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr
Disabled 11-year-old boy Abdel Jaleel al-Homsy chats as he is assisted by his friend Mohamad Qanawati (R) in Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr March 12, 2014. Homsy, who was wounded and disabled in 2012 by shelling from forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, has decided to go back to school despite his injuries - helped by Qanawati who accompanies him everywhere. REUTERS/Aref Alkrez (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT)