First convoy of Syrian soldiers crosses the Bekaa towards Damascus
Syria-Lebanon, Politics, 3/12/2005

The first convoy of Syrian soldiers who withdrew from Lebanon crossed the western borders into inside the Syrian lands at (Jdidat Yabous) border point coming from the Lebanese al-Masna' area. By that, the Syrian forces completed withdrawal from its positions in north Lebanon.

The first convoy included 10 armored vehicles and were welcomed by hundreds of citizens amid national slogans and throwing rice despite the cold weather and the late night time arrival on Friday.

News reports in Damascus said that the convoy included 60 trucks for transporting persons loaded with Syrian soldiers, noting that other Syrian units started to gather in the Bekaa valley in preparations for the withdrawal. However, Lebanese sources stressed that intelligence headquarters and two military positions in Tripoli and its surroundings were not evacuated yet but expected to complete withdrawal from these areas during the coming hours.

The Lebanese defense minister Mahmoud Hammoud said that the first phase which includes the withdrawal of the Syrian forces to the Bekaa to east Lebanon will be completed next week. He indicated that almost half of the Syrian forces had pulled out, noting that most of the withdrawals were until the Syrian borders.

Previous Stories:
  Syria's withdrawal and al-Hayat Daily   (3/10/2005)
  Syria vows complete withdrawal before May   (3/9/2005)
  Murad: Syrian troops withdrawal to Bekaa to be complete this month   (3/9/2005)

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