Syrian redeployment in Lebanon
Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 6/15/2001

Syria on Thursday resumed the process of redeployment of its forces in Lebanon, a step already started last spring.

A statement by the directorate of guidance at the Lebanese army said that "units of the sisterly Syrian forces working in Lebanon are implementing redeployment operations within the few coming days in the areas of al-Yarza, Baabda and other areas in Beirut, and the mount of Lebanon. The operation was made in coordination between the military leaderships in the Lebanese army and the Syrian Arab army."

Lebanese military sources said that the redeployment operation might also last two or three days due to the volume of the forces which will leave Beirut and certain areas of Mount of Lebanon towards al-Mdeiraj until the Bekaa where these Syrian will take new and certain positions, according to a joint Syrian- Lebanese set plan.

The sources added that the redeployment will include 7,000 Syrian army officers and soldiers from various military sections and these forces will be taken to military aggregation in Dhour al-Shweir and Polonia as a first station before it will be stationed in certain positions in the Bekaa plain.

The positions the Syrian forces evacuated were Burj al-Barajenha, al-Yarza, the surrounding of the army club; Baabda road- Yasous; al-Jamhour, al-Mansoureyah, al-Montfirdi; Eis Saadeh, al-Dawar, Baabdat road, Saleima, Valougha and Hammana.

These sources explained that 10 army artillery stations were evacuated on Thursday in the higher parts of Valogha and fortifications used to be built around these artillery were removed.

The redeployment operation was completed calmly and coincided with logistic arrangements in the new military positions where the Syrian forces will be stationed. The Syrian forces have been redeployed during night times so as to avoid traffic jam on the road leading to the Bekaa.

The Lebanese prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri said on Thursday upon presiding over a cabinet meeting that the Syrian measure "stressed the deep relations between Lebanon and Syria," noting that this step is being carried out in coordination between the Lebanese and Syrian armies to prove that the Syrian forces which helped Lebanon, had enabled the armed Lebanese forces from carrying out its full duties during the past years and that these Lebanese forces will be able to fully shoulder their responsibilities during the coming phase."

Previous Stories:
  Reconciliation efforts among the Lebanese leaders   (6/8/2001)
  On Khaddam's visit to Lebanon   (6/6/2001)
  Karami confers with Khaddam   (6/5/2001)

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