U.S. Official: Opportunities for Normalization Between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon Are Possible
March 22, 2025, 12:44 pm

U.S. Official: Opportunities for Normalization Between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon Are Possible

ستيفن ويتكوف

Stephen Wittykov, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, stated that normalizing relations between Israel and Syria and Lebanon has become a real possibility, especially after Syria has lost a significant amount of Iranian influence.

Wittykov's comments came in a lengthy interview with journalist Tucker Carlson, where he discussed the Trump administration's vision for the future of the region, focusing on the Syrian issue and Israel’s role in the geopolitical changes taking place on the Middle Eastern map.

He explained that “Lebanon may find itself in a position to normalize relations with Israel by signing a peace treaty between the two countries, and this is indeed possible.” He added that the same applies to Syria, pointing out that normalization between Lebanon and Israel, and subsequently between Syria and Israel, “could be part of a broader process to establish peace in the region.”

Regarding the final map that Israel seeks to draw in the Middle East, Wittykov noted that Israel holds field influence in Lebanon and Syria, even though they are not part of its territory. He confirmed that this control paves the way for comprehensive normalization, especially if armed groups linked to Iran, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, are eliminated.

He added that if Syria and Lebanon move to normalize relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia reaches a peace agreement after the situation in Gaza stabilizes, we will witness a completely new landscape in the Middle East.

The U.S. envoy pointed out that “Syria today is not what it once was, and Israel is drawing a new map that transcends the traditional concept of borders.” He clarified that if peace is achieved in Gaza, we will see a new Middle East based on technological and economic cooperation between Gulf states and Israel, and perhaps Syria as well.

Wittykov also considered that there has been a “turning point” in the Syrian file, following the fall of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad's regime, stating that Iran has effectively been removed from Syria, and that Bashar al-Assad is no longer in power, which represents an “unexpected achievement” in the context of weakening the Iranian axis in the region.

He concluded by saying, “What happened in Syria was a massive turning point for the region, and removing Assad was a huge step that no one expected, and Syria is now outside of Iranian influence.”

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.