UN turns up heat on Syria to pull out of Lebanon

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.

Mr Annan’s demand was released in a written statement after the secretary-general met with his special envoy, Terje Roed-Larsen, who recently visited the region.

Mr Annan made explicit in the statement that the withdrawal would include “the intelligence apparatus and military assets.” His call echoed one from US President George Bush, who also has called on Syria to withdraw all troops before the elections.