Ahmed al-Sharab, leader of the HTS group that recently took control in Syria, asserts that the country is exhausted by war and poses no threat to its neighbors or the West. He emphasizes a break from Al-Qaeda and presents his group as nationalist and tolerant of Syria's diverse sects. Despite these claims, skepticism persists among Syrians and international observers. Al-Sharab promises to respect the rights of women and minorities, highlighting the high percentage of women in universities and the intention to form a legal committee to draft a new constitution. However, he avoids direct answers on certain issues, such as alcohol consumption, deferring to future legal decisions. The country faces significant challenges, including economic destruction and international sanctions, which he argues should be lifted as they were aimed at the previous regime. The UN special envoy suggests giving the new government three months to prove its intentions, acknowledging the short time since their takeover.