Lahoud: the Syrians are allies and will leave when we find it useful

The Lebanese daily al-Nahar said Thursday that the AFP quoted excerpts from an interview made by the French " Bary Match " magazine with the President of the Lebanese republic Emile lahoud in which he stressed that the Syrian units in Lebanon are " allied units which entered Lebanon at an official request from Lebanon " and that these units " will leave according to an official request from our country when we find this useful and serving the interests of Lebanon and not that of Israel."

The Lebanese president indicated that the withdrawal of the Israeli army is a "big stride forward but should be followed by other steps.. Shebaa farms should be returned back to Lebanon."

The Lebanese president added that peace requires settling the question of the Palestinian refugees who represent 10% of the population in Lebanon."

Lahoud added about these Palestinians "they are armed in their camps and constitute a time bomb that is able to explode the whole region." He added "therefore the Palestinians have the right to restore back to Palestine as stated by the UN resolution 194 released by the UN General Assembly."

He expressed hope that the UN will be able to carry out the mission assigned to it by the UN.