Some 800 Arab, foreign journalist took part in al-Assad's funeral

A source at the Syrian ministry of information told ArabicNews that more than 800 Arab and foreign journalists came to the country to cover events of the late president's funeral. Foreign journalists who covered this event, noted that there is a " larger margin of transparency " in Syria and more flexibility in the selection of people that can be talked to for interviews, the ability to have easy access into various parts of the country especially in Damascus and al-Qardaha.