Al-Shara: the Syrian forces might stay in Lebanon about two years
Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 1/24/2005

The Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara said yesterday that the Syrian forces in Lebanon might stay there only "for two years."

Al-Shara said replying to a question by CNN over the number of the Syrian forces in Lebanon that they are "Not that much. They were more than 40,000 six years ago, but after President Bashar al-Assad assumed power he reduced the number to 15,000 or 16,000 only."

Al- Shara was asked about the period in which the Syrian forces will stay in Lebanon and he said "these forces will not stay for ever, certainly. There is al-Taif agreement which we abide by its implementation. The matter might take about two years." He continued "we are in Lebanon to help the Lebanese, and should the Lebanese no longer want our help us we will not stay beyond that."

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