Syrian forces start fourth redeployment in Lebanon
The Lebanese security forces announced that the Syrian army started on Monday evening a redeployment process for its forces positioned in Lebanon since 1976. This is the fourth in less than three years.
An official in these forces asked to be anonymous said that "almost 1,000 Syrian soldiers started Monday evening to evacuate their positions in south Lebanon - in Khaldeh and Aramoun in particular- and in north Lebanon. " The source added that Syrian units gathered on Monday evening at the southern entrance of Beirut and its procession took Beirut- Damascus road. The source explained that other units in north Lebanon also evacuated positions but gave no other details.
This is, however, the fourth partial Syrian withdrawal for the Syrian army in less than three years. During the past three years, Syria made three partial withdrawal for its forces in Lebanon, the last of which was in February this year. Since the year 2000, number of of Syrian troops decreased from 35,000 to less than 20,000.
In June this year the Lebanese papers talked for the first time about a complete withdrawal for the Syrian forces by the fall of 2004.
The Lebanese French- Language daily " L'Orient De Jour " said that after a new partial withdrawal " a comprehensive withdrawal will be made by the beginning of the new year." According to Taif accord in ( 1989 ) Damascus was supposed to re-deploy its forces Eastward in Lebanon in 1992. The said agreement does not set a certain date for the withdrawal of the Syrian army, leaving this matter for the Lebanese authority to decide.
In statements issued on May 25, the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said that " the state of Lebanon has become able to assume the missions of keeping order and security ."
In recent months, Washington, which deplores Syria, described the Syrian military presence in Lebanon as occupation. It also called on Damascus to withdraw its forces from Lebanon, in the course of the pressures practices against Syria not to interfere in Iraq's affairs and to support the Roadmap plan for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
In 1976, just one year since the beginning of the war in Lebanon ( 1976- 1990) the Syrian army interfered with Washington's consent to support the Christian forces which were in a difficult position while facing certain Palestinians militias.