Then they repaired some of the tiles that had lost their enamel and gold leaf, making them look like black spots from down below.

Buildings are rundown and in need of repairs.

But it is down to local councils, not national government, to deliver these repairs.

Syria is a broken country that he says he wants to repair and revive, full of challenges that might make his task impossible.

It says Israel also cut electricity supplies, attacked repair workers and blocked the entry into Gaza of repair materials.