Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said today that three former Lebanese security chiefs and the commander of the Presidential Guards are suspects in the UN investigation into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Syria ended its 29-year military presence in Lebanon today with a farewell ceremony near their shared border, where a Syrian commander told Lebanese troops: “Brothers in arms, so long.”

Syrian special forces joined Lebanese troops today at a Lebanese air base near the Syrian border, and shouted “long live Bashar!” in homage to the Syrian leader, as they prepared for a farewell ceremony marking the end of Syria’s 29-year military involvement with its smaller neighbour.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday demanded that Syria withdraw all its troops from Lebanon before Lebanese parliamentary elections in April and May, marking the first time he has set a specific timetable for Damascus.

Syria’s army and intelligence agents completed the first phase of their pullback to eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley and Syria today.