Syrian retreat ends 29-year occupation of Lebanon

SYRIAN troops burned documents and dismantled military posts in their final hours in Lebanon yesterday, before deploying towards the border and effectively ending 29 years of military presence in the country.

A few score Syrian troops will remain in Lebanon for a farewell ceremony tomorrow.

In Damascus, the Syrian capital, a government official said: “Within the next few hours, all the troops will be out of Lebanon. What will be left are those who will take part in the official farewell tomorrow.”