Rebels aim for normality and Syrians vow not to be silent again

The transition has been surprisingly smooth; reports of reprisals, revenge killings and sectarian violence have been minimal, looting and destruction have been quickly contained

- AGENCIES

At Damascus' international airport, the new head of security – one of the rebels who marched across Syria to the capital – arrived with his team. The few maintenance workers who showed up for work huddled around Maj Hamza al-Ahmed, eager to learn what will happen next.

They quickly unloaded all the complaints they had been too afraid to express during the rule of President Bashar Assad, which now, inconceivably, is over.

They told the bearded fighter they were denied promotions and perks in favor of pro-Assad favorites, and that bosses threatened them with prison for working too slowly. They warned of hardcore Assad supporters among airport staff, ready to return whenever the facility reopens.