The tourism ministry's decision marks the first time the Damascus authorities have issued guidelines related to what women can wear since Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December.

The order drew concerns among some Syrians about their personal freedoms under the country’s new Islamist authorities.

Le ministère du tourisme souligne qu’il est nécessaire de porter dans les lieux publics « des vêtements amples et de couvrir les épaules et les genoux ».