Syrian state television is showing tens of thousands rallying in a major city in a demonstration of support for the country's embattled President Bashar Assad.

The pro-regime gathering in Aleppo comes a week after a similar rally in the capital, Damascus.

Damascus and Aleppo are the largest cities in Syria and economic powerhouses. The regime is counting on their support to halt the momentum of a 7-month-old uprising.

Also Wednesday, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said pro-government gunmen killed two people in the restive city of Homs, The Associated Press reported.

The UN says more than 3,000 people have been killed in a crackdown on the uprising and international pressure is building on Assad to step down.