Today, as the last Syrian troops depart from the country they have occupied for 29 years, the Lebanese will likely breathe a sigh of relief. But they won't have much time to savor the sweetness of their newfound liberty; they are now left with the task of managing their own affairs, and there is an awful lot of work to be done.

During the course of Syrian occupation, Lebanese society has been deprived of the real experience of responsibility. Over the years, the Lebanese seem to have become almost accustomed to being told what to do. One dares to say that the Lebanese political class in the widest sense (not just the loyalist politicians) became complacent toward Syria's way of doing things.

A key concern now for the Lebanese is that the Syrian domination of Lebanon extended over not just security and political institutions, but also over the private sector, banking, industrialists, trade unions and business associations. The result is that a once vibrant Lebanese economy has slowly crumbled under Syrian mismanagement. The private sector has become encumbered by heavy public sector intervention, under-the-table deals, unfair tender processes, bribery, secret agreements and corruption of every kind. Entrepreneurs, laborers and professionals must confront red-tape and corruption on a daily basis and this environment has crippled the private sector and severely limited Lebanon's economic prospects.

While many ambitious plans to correct these problems have been proposed by Lebanese, such decisions were always subject to the approval of Syrian management.

Now the Syrians have withdrawn, the Lebanese will have to break their habit of paralysis and start doing things a new way. It is not only necessary that the Lebanese rid themselves of the tanks, soldiers, guns and security agents; they must also unshackle the economy and the private sector from the chains of corruption that have characterized the era of Syrian occupation.

Lebanon will either collapse or sink further into an economic crisis if the country's new leadership doesn't grasp this responsibility and run with it. They cannot afford to take the scenic route toward reform in these areas. They cannot simply meander their way around; they must jump quickly into the fast lane.

It is an urgent matter for the Lebanese to begin to address the problem of Syrian-inspired corruption in the sectors mentioned. It will take serious effort to guide public opinion and bring about a genuine change.

Lebanon's leaders have a responsibility to take steps toward a better future for their country on this momentous day lest the opportunity of the Syrian withdrawal be lost.