Portraits of the Syrian leader smile down at motorists driving through Latakia's bustling streets.

Many other cities and towns have been reduced to rubble by the country's civil war, but Latakia remains untouched.

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.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LOCAL RESIDENT, RASHA HUWAIJA, SAYING:

"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."

The city is filled with refugees from Idlib and Aleppo provinces. Many have found new opportunities in Latakia.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ALAA AL-KHATIB, HAIR STYLIST FROM ALEPPO , WORKING AT HIS SALON, SAYING:

"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."

Locals say they are