Meanwhile, Syria’s interim education minister reassured the nation that a new government will not restrict girls’ access to education. On Thursday, Syrian youth and women gathered in Damascus to call for their rights to be respected in any new government.

Maram Fuleihan: “We are here to participate as youths in order to be together hand in hand, to be a secular, democratic state where there is equality and maintenance of women’s rights. So far, we do not know what the situation will be, and we are not attacking or judging anyone because it is still so early, but it is our right to hold onto our rights. It is our right to know where we are going to and participate together, as Syrians, to build a Syria for all.”