Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon according to the Taif Accord, with Lebanese authorities

The Syrian ambassador in Saudi Arabia, Ahmad Nizam Eddien, said that the Syrian foreign minister Farouk al-Shara stressed during his meeting with Saudi officials in Riyadh on Monday that Syria will work for re-scheduling its withdrawal from Lebanon according to the Taif accord and in coordination with the Lebanese authorities.

Arab diplomats indicated last week that Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Algeria are working to ensure what is considered an Arab cover for the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon following the escalation of pressures on Damascus.

Meantime, Arab and foreign reactions to the resignation of the Lebanese government headed by Omar Karami continued. The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, called in an interview with the CNN on Syria and the next Lebanese government to instantly implement the Taif Accord which put an end to the civil conflict in the country.

The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Abu al-Ghait called upon all political sides in Lebanon to work altogether and not to permit conditions to deteriorate.

For its part, the European Commission called on various political forces in Lebanon to cling to dialogue following the resignation of the Lebanese government.