Portraits of the Syrian leader smile down at motorists driving through Latakia's bustling streets.<br/> <br />Many other cities and towns have been reduced to rubble by the country's civil war, but Latakia remains untouched.<br/> <br />Reuters was taken on a government sanctioned tour of the coastal city on Saturday to see how residents are enjoying a semblance of normal life.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LOCAL RESIDENT, RASHA HUWAIJA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Clients are always in the markets, thank God, although we are living in a very difficult crisis -- any other country would not live in the conditions we are living in."<br/> <br />The city is filled with refugees from Idlib and Aleppo provinces. Many have found new opportunities in Latakia.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ALAA AL-KHATIB, HAIR STYLIST FROM ALEPPO , WORKING AT HIS SALON, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Here you feel safe. There are people. There is stability and life. And because I am a hair stylist we came here to re-build our careers."<br/> <br />Locals say they are
