Syrian Christians attended Christmas Eve services on Tuesday for the first time since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in early December, in an early test of the new Islamist rulers' pledges to protect the rights of the country's religious minorities.

Although members of the Christian community said they are happy to see the Assad regime go, many are wary of their new Islamist leaders.

Twinkling lights, stars, bells and revolutionary flags are strung above the ancient streets of the old city of Damascus.

Sarah Latifa had feared that her Christian community in Syria may struggle to celebrate its first Christmas since Islamist-led rebels toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.