The General Command of the rebels who have seized power in Syria announced today the lifting of the curfew in Damascus and its suburbs, adding that all employees of public organizations and institutions are free to return to their posts.

“Order of the Military Operations Command: Dear residents of the city of Damascus and its suburbs, we inform you that the command has lifted the curfew in the city, and we also urge our compatriots to return to work at the institutions,” read the announcement published in the Syrian newspaper Al-Watan.

The opposition had imposed a curfew in Damascus on Monday afternoon in an effort to halt widespread looting in the central districts of the capital and to gain control over the events unfolding in the city.