Syria to begin first phase of Lebanon pullout

SYRIA is due to start pulling back its forces in Lebanon to the Bekaa Valley today, in the first stage of what it says will be a swift two-phased withdrawal of its troops.

However, Washington, which says Syrian "support for terrorism" impedes Middle East peace, dismissed Syria's plan as inadequate and reiterated its call for a complete and immediate withdrawal.

Lebanese Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Mrad said that forces would retreat from northern Lebanon and Mount Lebanon in accordance with the Taif Accord that ended Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.