The toppling of Bashar Assad has raised tentative hopes that Syrians might live peacefully and as equals after a half century of authoritarian rule.

In the Assad clan's former heartland of Latakia, many in the toppled president's Alawite minority are relieved that his iron-clad rule has come to an end.- 'Stealing from us' - After the rebel takeover,

A delegation of American diplomats arrived in Syria to meet with representatives of several Syrian factions, including a rebel group designated as terrorists — who overthrew the country’s longtime dictator,