The announcement by the Syrian rebels who ousted president Bashar al-Assad that they had appointed a transitional head of government brings "new hope to a country that has suffered so much," says World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhonom Ghebreyesus. Speaking duing a press confrence in Geneva, he says "we hope that this new dawn for Syria will lead to sustained peace," but warns that "before the recent offensive began, less than two-thirds of hospitals and primary care facilities were functional," with further strain possible as displaced Syrians return to the country. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES