Syria to complete withdrawal from Lebanon ASAP, Mustafa says

The Syrian ambassador to Washington Imad Mustafa announced that his country will complete the withdrawal of its forces and intelligence forces from Lebanon as soon as possible when the Lebanese security forces are ready to replace them.

In press statements, Mustafa indicated that the withdrawal of the Syrian forces should not lead to a state of chaos, noting that this reason is the only justification for carrying out the withdrawal in two phases.

The Syrian ambassador refused to explain whether his country intends to complete its withdrawal before the parliamentary elections in Lebanon in May, WHich is a demand by the UN, that is fully supported by the US and France.

Mustafa added that no agreement has been yet finalized between the two states on the details of the second phase which includes the withdrawal of the Syrian forces from the Bekaa into inside the Syrian territories. He explained that this does not mean the agreement will take longer time.

In Beirut, a Lebanese military source said that the Syrian army concluded on Thursday the first phase of its withdrawal to the Bekaa to the east of Lebanon, started on March 8th. The source explained that the Syrian forces and intelligence withdrew from north Lebanon and the capital, as well as the positions they occupy in the mountain which overlooks the capital.

The source added that this phase included 8000 Syrian troops, half of them withdrew to the Bekaa plain and half of them returned to Syria.