Security forces in the Syrian capital of Damascus intensify checkpoints and patrols to keep an overnight surge of protests from spreading into the heart of the city, a stronghold for President Bashar Assad. Iran presses Syria to heed 'legitimate' public demands.Security forces in the Syrian capital intensified checkpoints, troops and helicopter patrols Saturday in a bid to keep an overnight surge of anti-government protests in the suburbs from spreading to the heart of Damascus, a crucial stronghold for Syrian President Bashar Assad.