Syrian pullback to be completed by end March

The withdrawal of Syrian troops to Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley will be completed by the end of March, the presidents of both countries agreed today.

But they deferred a final troop pullout from Lebanon until later negotiations.

The announcement came after Syrian President Bashar Assad and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud held talks in Damascus.

Not long after the announcment, two Syrian military trucks loaded with furniture were seen heading east up the Lebanese mountains.

The announcement said that after Syrian troops complete their withdrawal from northern and central Lebanon to near Syria’s border, military officials from the two countries will agree within a maximum one-month period on the duration and size of the Syrian military deployment remaining in the Bekaa.

After an agreed upon duration, the statement said, the two governments will “agree to complete the withdrawal of the remaining forces”.

The agreement was vague about a complete withdrawal from Lebanon, not setting a specific timetable. This could fall short of international demands that Syria completely pull its troops from its eastern neighbour.

The announcement said the redeployment to the Bekaa, with a foothold in the high central mountains, was according to the 1989 Taif Accord that outlined Syria’s withdrawal from Lebanon.

A joint military committee will be designated to draw an agreement in a “maximum” one-month period from the date of withdrawal to the Bekaa “to define the size and duration of the presence of the Syrian forces” and establish the relationship between these forces and Lebanese authorities.

“At the end of the agreed upon duration for the presence of Syrian forces,” the announcement said, “the governments of Syria and Lebanon will agree on completion of the withdrawal of the remaining Syrian forces.”

The meeting came amid intense US led international pressure on Syria to withdraw its army from Lebanon and to stop interfering in its smaller neighbour’s affairs.

Syria has had troops in Lebanon since 1976, when they were sent as peacekeepers during that country’s 1975-1990 civil war. When the war ended, the troops remained while Syria dominated Lebanon’s politics.

During today’s meeting in the People’s Palace overlooking Damascus, Lahoud thanked Assad for Syria’s role in helping prevent Lebanon’s partition after the civil war and expressed “appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Syrian army in Lebanon,” Lebanese presidential spokesman Rafik Shalala said.

Lahoud stressed “the unity of the Lebanese-Syrian position in confronting the challenges” and on continuing cooperation, Shalala said.

Meanwhile in Beirut, more than 5,000 anti-Syrian demonstrators gathered at central Martyrs’ Square, chanting “Syria Out!”

Many more were still streaming to the square, where most waved Lebanon’s distinctive red and white flag with a green cedar tree.

The demonstration marked three weeks since the February 14 assassination of former premier Rafik Hariri that began a peaceful campaign against Syrian control.

Some in the crowd carried large photographs of Hariri. One group carried a banner that read: “Today we have one target: To liberate our land.”