Damascus students say 'finally feel free' after Assad's ouster

"The atmosphere is extraordinary. Everyone is happy -- look at how joyful people are," said medical student Rinad Abdallah, 18. In front of her stood a large statue of Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria after seizing power in a bloodless military coup in 1970, vandalised and brought to the ground. "I have an old photo where I'm posing in front of the statue. Now, I'm going to pose at the same place, but without the statue," Abdallah said with glee. Bashar al-Assad ruled from his father Hafez's death...