Barbara Platt-Usher

I'm in the central square here in Damascus. It's absolutely packed with people celebrating, waving rebel flags. Now I think thinking they're the Syrian flags, singing and chanting. Young men, of course, but also young women, families, children, just savoring their freedom after decades of oppression by an authoritarian regime. And this is happening all over the country, this kind of celebration.

And how do you feel about today?

Without any fear.

And what about the future? It's a very uncertain time. We don't know what's going to happen. How do you feel about that?

Peace, no war. Understood. Not gunfire, they're... Exploding firecrackers now. There are a number of fighters here no longer shooting their guns in the air in celebration, but you have people going up to them and posing with them and with their weapons, including small children.

How do you feel about the future?

Do you have any concerns in terms of conservative Islamic government? No.

Well, I wonder because the new leader that you have is on a terrorist list. He's trying hard to get off it. I think people are paying attention to that. How do you feel about that?

So you're encouraged? Yeah, yeah.

Optimistic even.