priority

. But if the two leaders sounded similar notes on the global economy, the subject of Afghanistan revealed differences. Mr Hollande repeated his election pledge to withdraw combat troops by the end of this year. Mr Obama said it was important that the allies maintained their efforts to build security in Afghanistan.

Syrian activists have posted videos online showing, they say, unprecedented protests in the city of Aleppo. There have been demonstrations across Syria in support of students at Aleppo University, where security forces have carried out violent raids. Jonathan Head reports.

Aleppo is Syria's largest city, its main commercial centre. There have been protests there since last year but not on the scale seen elsewhere in Syria, and President Assad's authority has seemed secure. But the demonstrations this week have been much bigger.

Activists say today's were the largest they've ever seen in Aleppo involving people from many different backgrounds. It is possible a

threshold

has been crossed in Aleppo and that President Assad will face mounting opposition from its inhabitants. That would be a blow to his prestige and perhaps to his hold on power.

Thousands of Bahrainis have held a rally outside the capital Manama against a plan for union between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. They held

banners

saying "Bahrain is not for sale". They are angry at what they see as an attempt by Saudi Arabia to exert more control on Bahrain.