Vast redeployment of the Syrian forces working in Lebanon starts today
Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 9/21/2004

In a step preceding the report of the UN secretary general Kofi Annan to be on October 3rd concerning the Syrian presence in Lebanon, Syria announced by its ambassador in Washington Imad Mustafa that the Syrian forces will start today ( Tuesday) a large scale redeployment process for its forces in Lebanon.

News reports and well informed media sources from Damascus quoted a Syrian source as saying that the Syrian forces will start a new redeployment process towards the Syrian borders. The sources which contacted the Syrian ambassador in Washington Imad Mustafa said it notified it that the " matter is official and the step should satisfy all sides and that Syria tries by this step to collaborate with the USA." Adding that this step came as a result of " greater confidence in conditions " and the realities of regional and international condition, however it is a leap in the bilateral relations between the two countries.." The source continued that "coincidence between the redeployment and the regional and international realities in expressing an international desire, and simultaneously a joint Syrian- Lebanese harmony."

News reports quoted a Syrian official source in Damascus as saying that a high ranking Syrian military delegation will arrive today in Lebanon for the redeployment of the Syrian forces on the Lebanese territories.

In Beirut, a well informed source said that the joint military committee between Syria and Lebanon will shortly hold meetings to specify the new points of new redeployment by the Syrian forces. The sources said that the step is considered a completion for similar steps made earlier and is made according to al-Taif agreement.

According to the source, the step means withdrawing Syrian units which are still deployed in areas of Mount of Lebanon, especially al-Damour, Aramounm Bolonia, Daher al-Shweir and Aley and that the forces will withdraw towards back position in the Bekaa areas. The source expected the operation, which is the fourth during four years, to last for several days.

Previous Stories:
  Lahoud: Syria's presence in Lebanon is legitimate   (9/14/2004)
  Syrian Lebanese information ministers highlight constructive, stimulated dialogue with USA   (9/13/2004)
  Al-Sahra receives Lebanese Information minister   (9/13/2004)

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