Govt functioning but challenge looms: Syrian PM Ghazi Jalali

Damascus was quiet on Monday, with life slowly returning to normal while most shops and public institutions were closed

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Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers are still working from offices in Damascus after rebels entered the capital over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar Assad.

Streams of refugees crossed in from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future.

But there were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country, which is led by a former senior al-Qaeda militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance.