On the re-deployment of the Syrian forces in Lebanon

The Saudi daily al-Watan said that the decision taken by the Syrian leadership to withdraw its forces from certain Lebanese positions and re-deploying these forces in certain areas does not mean preparations for the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon or making a fundamental change in the Syrian- Lebanese relations as well as to bring back things to where they used to be before 1976.

The paper added that this decision reflects firstly the way President Bashar al-Assad deals realistically and with openness and flexibility with the Lebanese file and with the demand of certain Lebanese sides and forces but this all to be made without making a change in the solid and strong as well as remarkable relations between Syria and Lebanon.

The paper added that the Syrian president has not responded with the demands proclaimed by Christian forces led by Patriarch Sfeir on the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from Lebanon and to end what these forces call ' the Syrian hegemony on the Lebanese decision making, rather President al-Assad decided, with an understanding with the Lebanese leadership to keep the Syrian forces in this country ( Lebanon) for infinite period of time and he has just confined to re-deploying and position them in area that an understanding will be made over them with the Lebanese officials '.

The Saudi paper stressed that these decisions will not change the essence of the organic relations between the two countries.