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History was made on many fronts during US President Donald Trump’s visit to ������Ƶ this week. One of the main events was his speech at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, during which Trump announced that he would lift all American sanctions on Syria to give the country “a chance at greatness.” He added: “It’s their time to shine. We’re taking them all off. Good luck Syria, show us something very special.”

There is no doubt that Syria’s new government, led by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, owes a great deal of gratitude for this decision not only to the US president but also to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It is, therefore, a critical mission for Al-Sharaa to succeed in stabilizing the country and maintaining peace — to deliver on what the crown prince wished for the people of Syria: that they live in prosperity and peace.

As Trump stated, the “brutal and crippling” sanctions have served their purpose and are no longer needed. It is also important to note that this came just a week after the Syrian president made his first official visit to Europe, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. This was undoubtedly achieved with Arab support and marked a first diplomatic step following the overthrow of Bashar Assad. The visit went ahead despite some negative media coverage, mainly focused on the future of minorities in Syria.

It is important to note the great will among regional and international powers for Syria to be stable. This is one of the most important steps Al-Sharaa will have to deliver on, and quickly. There is a clear understanding of the threats and potential interference, so the new Damascus leadership needs to show its citizens real efforts to bring about a secure, stable and sovereign Syria. This means a government that not only protects all communities but also gives all its citizens the right to security and a chance at greatness.

The new leadership needs to show its citizens real efforts to bring about a secure, stable and sovereign Syria

Khaled Abou Zahr

This is indeed a historic opportunity. We must never forget the atrocities of the previous regime, but it is also time to build a new future; a better future. Not only for Syrians, but also for the Lebanese and the entire Levant. This is what is at stake. Previous regional upheavals have always favored Damascus or, more precisely, the Assad regime. Each time, they have brought more despair, misery and killings to Levantines.

Today, there is also unprecedented Arab and Turkish support for the new Damascus. This includes positive engagement with Tehran to shield the entire region from any escalation that could be disastrous. This broader approach has shown that leading regional countries are ready, with great maturity, for greater agency. While this plays out — and the outcome is still unknown — everyone is well aware of the risks and dangers. Yet, everyone understands that if there is a strong will from the new government to enact real changes, then Syria will be on a positive new path.

Lebanon’s fate is linked to this future. There will be no peace in Lebanon unless there is a clear path in Syria. A few years ago, I wrote that no one would invest in Lebanon politically or financially before the setting of a new path for Syria. Indeed, Lebanon was, and still is, too fragile to shield itself from what happens in Syria. This change has now happened and there is hence a great opportunity for Lebanon to also build lasting peace and stability. We can end the cycle of rebuilding, followed by everything being destroyed with every geopolitical change.

The Assad regime established a system of organized crime against its citizens and its Arab neighbors. It conducted itself in the same manner and, when looking into the captagon trade, we see that the Assads were part of it. They also used blackmail, terror and violence. This was their dirty “business model.” They are now gone.

Lebanon’s fate is linked to this future. There will be no peace in Lebanon unless there is a clear path in Syria

Khaled Abou Zahr

Nevertheless, the new leaders in Syria cannot simply say that they are not like the previous rulers. They need to achieve and build this new Syria. In my conversations, I often mention the need for protecting every citizen and every minority, which gets a mixed reaction — as if I am focused on the details when bigger things are at play. Yet, I believe it is the small actions and details that reveal everything. And here, passivity toward attacks on minorities (by any party) will be equivalent to giving a green light to terror groups to conduct more attacks. This is the path to destruction.

The Sunni majority suffered at the hands of the Assad regime. There was a clear will for religious and ethnic cleansing. Yet, while the military officials and their accomplices need to be brought to justice, there should be no place for attacks on the Alawite community.

The new state must honor its duty to all communities equally, just as each citizen bears their duty to the new nation. The critics claim that Al-Sharaa’s past should condemn Syria to the same blockades as the Assad regime. Let us hope that, with this unbelievable opportunity, he will prove them wrong and seize the chance for greatness for all citizens of the Levant.

• Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is CEO of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.