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07/03/2005
Syrian forces to be 'redeployed' in Lebanon
Following talks between the Lebanese and Syrian presidents, a withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon is expected to begin soon.
On Monday, according to the Lebanon's defence minister, Abdel Rahim Mrad, the phased redeployment of Syrian forces in Lebanon would begin immediately after the conclusion of talks in Damascus between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud.
A plan drawn up prior to the meeting was expected to be approved by the two leaders and a joint military committee would implement the withdrawal westwards of Syrian forces.
Mr Assad told the Syrian parliament that troops would be withdrawn east of the Bekka Valley and then to the Syrian Border.
The Syrians have been under international pressure to commence a withdrawal of military forces from Lebanon.
The leader of the militant Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah said that the objective was for "American and Israel to spread chaos" and find cause for an intervention.
Hezbollah, which the US described as a terrorist group, is the only armed faction remaining in Lebanon following the cessation of military operations against Israeli forces that withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.
The 1989 Taif accord ended over 20 years of strife in Lebanon, which saw Syrian deploy a peacekeeping force a year into the 1975-1990 civil war.
A UN security council resolution 1559 called on Syria to withdraw troops from Lebanon.
(SP)
On Monday, according to the Lebanon's defence minister, Abdel Rahim Mrad, the phased redeployment of Syrian forces in Lebanon would begin immediately after the conclusion of talks in Damascus between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud.
A plan drawn up prior to the meeting was expected to be approved by the two leaders and a joint military committee would implement the withdrawal westwards of Syrian forces.
Mr Assad told the Syrian parliament that troops would be withdrawn east of the Bekka Valley and then to the Syrian Border.
The Syrians have been under international pressure to commence a withdrawal of military forces from Lebanon.
The leader of the militant Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah said that the objective was for "American and Israel to spread chaos" and find cause for an intervention.
Hezbollah, which the US described as a terrorist group, is the only armed faction remaining in Lebanon following the cessation of military operations against Israeli forces that withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.
The 1989 Taif accord ended over 20 years of strife in Lebanon, which saw Syrian deploy a peacekeeping force a year into the 1975-1990 civil war.
A UN security council resolution 1559 called on Syria to withdraw troops from Lebanon.
(SP)
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