Annan for complete Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon before Lebanese elections

The secretary general of the Arab league AL Kofi Annan said he expects a complete withdrawal for the Syrian forces and intelligence from Lebanon before the Lebanese parliamentary elections.

The UN secretary general is expected to submit a report to the UN security council on April 19 after his special envoy Terje Roed-Larsen who had already returned from the region and briefed him on details of the agreement between the UN and the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over the withdrawal operation.

In a statement read on his behalf, by its spokesman, Annan underlined the importance of holding free and transparent elections in their due time in Lebanon. He called on all sides concerned to work altogether in order to preserve Lebanese stability and national unity.

Following the meeting, Larsen said he will return back to the region within one week in order to draw the last touches on the report which will be submitted to Annan.