Syrian Govt still functioning but foreign, domestic challenges loom

ISRAEL HAS SEIZED A BUFFER ZONE INSIDE SYRIA

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DAMASCUS: 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 back into Syria 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-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance.

The rebel command said on Monday they would not tell women how to dress.

"It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women's dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty," the General Command said in a statement on social media. Meanwhile, some key government services had shut down as state workers ignored calls to return to their jobs, a UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid.