Crowds of protesters took to the streets of Syria's capital Damascus on Sunday to decry efforts to limit the sale and consumption of alcohol.   

The capital's governor last week banned the sale of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and bars across the city. They have been given three months to comply with the order. 

Authorities said the decision was made "at the request of the local community."

They have granted an exemption to shops in three predominantly Christian neighborhoods, allowing them to sell alcohol in sealed take-away bottles.

The stores, however, aren't permitted to serve booze on site. They also must keep at least 75 meters (246 feet) away from mosques and schools, and 20 meters (65 feet) away from police stations and government offices.

'This is about personal freedom'

At the demonstration on Sunday, heavily armed security forces surrounded and monitored the protesters. The gathering passed without incident.

"This is not about whether we want to drink alcohol, this is about personal freedom,” Isa Qazah, a 45-year-old sculptor, told the AP news agency at the protest. "We have come here to defend an idea."

Television writer Rami Koussa, 37, told AFP that "this type of decision will not stand."

The protests reflect growing fears that the Islamist authorities may further curtail personal freedoms, after they decreed "modest" swimwear on public beaches nationwide and banned makeup for female public sector workers in Latakia province.

Growing pressure from religious hard-liners

President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist rebel who now leads the war-ravaged nation's interim government, has not publicly commented on the alcohol debate.

He has so far tread lightly when it comes to imposing social restrictions.

But his administration faces growing pressure from hard-liners to impose more conservative Islamic values.

Syria has also been shaken by several instances of deadly sectarian violence despite al-Sharaa's pledges to unite the country, respect pluralism and protect minorities.

Amid sharp criticism, Damascus authorities issued a statement late Saturday apologizing to the city's Christian population "for any misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the decision."

They also clarified that hotels will be spared the booze restrictions.

"This decision does not interfere with citizens' personal freedoms,” the statement read. "The regulation of alcohol sales exists in all countries, with differences in how it's applied and enforced."

Edited by: Saim Dušan Inayatullah