Syria's antiquities chief on Thursday hailed the "imminent" recapture of the ancient city of Palmyra from the "Islamic State" (ISIS) terrorist group and vowed to rebuild the famed monuments the jihadists have destroyed.
"I have feelings of fear and joy," Maamoun Abdelkarim told AFP as government troops and militia prepared for a final assault on the city.
"I am so happy that the liberation is imminent... and that the nightmare is nearly over, before it is too late, before the total destruction of the ancient city."