Lebanon sets elections date as last Syrian troops pull out

WITH Syria's nearly three decades of military involvement over, Lebanon yesterday announced that the first round of parliamentary elections would be held May 29, two days before the deadline.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had cautioned Lebanon on Tuesday that delaying the polls could destabilise the country.

"I can confirm that the elections will take place starting from May 29," said parliament Speaker Nabih Berri shortly before the legislature convened to grant a vote of confidence to Prime Minister Najib Mikati's new government.

However, parliament must confirm Mikati's government and debate and approve an election bill before the elections can be held.

The anti-Syrian Lebanese opposition and the US have been increasing pressure to hold elections before parliament's current mandate expires May 31.

On Tuesday, in a quiet end to its once indomitable 29-year military presence, Syria's last soldier in Lebanon crossed the border.

Annan has dispatched a UN team to verify Syria's complete withdrawal.

The pullout would have been unthinkable only a few months ago. But Damascus came under relentless international pressure that intensified after the February 14 assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. The US in particular is keeping up demands for a complete end to Syria's influence.

US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli called the withdrawal "a welcome development" and an important first step toward Syria's compliance with UN Security Council.

But he said there were "lingering concerns" that Syria had not withdrawn all its intelligence agents. He said the Bush administration was looking to the report by a UN team sent to verify the withdrawal.

Annan said there had been no movement in other areas, including the requirement that militias be disarmed - a clear reference to the Syrian - and Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

Syria still wields influence in Damascus. President Emile Lahoud is a staunch Syrian ally, Mikati is a close friend of Syrian President Bashar Assad and the parliament is dominated by pro-Syrians.