Syrian troops continue Lebanon pull-out

ALMOST all Syrian troops left north Lebanon yesterday, ending an unbroken 29-year presence.

In Beirut, the opposition indicated it would spurn a call by reinstated pro-Syrian Prime Minister Omar Karami for a national unity government, deepening a political crisis ahead of parliamentary elections in May.

A security source said the Syrians had not yet vacated two intelligence offices and two military posts in and around the northern town of Tripoli, but could do so within 24 hours.

All other positions were evacuated overnight and thousands of soldiers and hundreds of vehicles crossed into Syria, witnesses said.

Syrian forces first entered Lebanon in 1976 early in the civil war. Their numbers have fallen to 14,000 from a peak of 40,000, but they had never before abandoned the north.

Syrian troops continued to return home or move eastwards from the Beirut area in line with a phased withdrawal plan agreed this week amid intense global pressure on Damascus to lift its grip on Lebanon.

Lebanon’s pro-Syrian cabinet fell last week after an outcry over the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, but Mr Karami was reappointed on Thursday in a move opposition leaders said would prolong political uncertainty.

“We don’t think this appointment gives the Lebanese hope,” said Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, describing it as “an extension to the crisis.”

A group of Christian MPs said Mr Karami’s reinstatement “shows Syria’s insistence on maintaining its tutelage policy that was rejected by the Lebanese.”

The United States, which has been demanding Syria end its involvement in Lebanon, criticised Mr Karami’s reappointment.

In a distinct shift of emphasis, US officials now say the Bush administration would accept a political role for Hizbollah, which it classifies as a terrorist group, if it disarmed.