A symphony of car horns blasted out in Damascus as night fell on Tuesday, May 13, accompanied by fireworks and explosions of joy. Within minutes, the fluctuating Syrian pound rose against the US dollar. On Omeyyades Square in the heart of the Syrian capital, which was closed to traffic, hundreds of men, women and children flocked to celebrate the announcement of the lifting of sanctions by US President Donald Trump. "I have no words to describe my joy," exclaimed Saad, a soldier in the new Syrian army, torn between holding his position and joining the festivities. "This is a historic day for Syria!"

Passersby waved the three-star flag. "We are very happy. It's a good sign for the country's opening after so many years," said Imane, a woman in her 30s living in Kuwait, who had returned for a vacation. She had come with her sisters, two of whom live in Sweden. "God willing, the future will be better, and we can return." At the beginning of Fayez-Mansour Avenue, a giant screen displayed the portrait of Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, known as "MBS," with a message of gratitude: "Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

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