Syria says it will withdraw troops from the Lebanon

[ECH1969]

Syria says it is willing to withdraw its troops from neighbouring Lebanon, after fifteen years of effective military occupation.

Amr Mussa, the head of the Arab League, said that Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian President, had assured him this morning that Syria was prepared to fulfil its obligations in the Taef accords that ended Lebanon's civil war in 1995.

Syria's change in stance, after ignoring years of international diplomatic pressure, comes as the Lebanese people themselves turn on their Syrian occupiers, blaming them for the assassination last week of their former prime minister, Rafik Hariri.

"During our meeting, President Assad expressed his firm desire, more than once, to continue implementing the Taef accord and to withdraw from Lebanon in keeping with this agreement," Mussa said after talks with Assad in Damascus. "The Taef and withdrawal (from Lebanon) are part of Syrian policy. Steps in these matters will be taken shortly," Mussa added.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1493978,00.html

[expatriot]

1. Is this because of Bush's bully pulpit? n/t

[unblock]

3. far more likely: they knew it would happen, so he pretended to demand it

just like reagan challenging gorbachev to tear down the berlin wall.
reagan knew it would happen, the u.s. really had nothing to do with it, but they made a big show of his challenge so that they could claim credit.

and if the rooster were a republican, they would claim credit for the rising sun.

[ECH1969]

4. It is because the people of Lebanon

Were starting to arm themselves to force Syria out along with Syria not wanting sanctions. More cost effective for them to pull their military out then get into another big war in Lebanon.

[Maple]

2. From your CIA Factbook

"Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions since 1991 and the end of the devastating 15-year civil war. Under the Ta'if Accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have conducted several successful elections, most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended central government authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, a radical Shia organization, retains its weapons. Syria maintains about 16,000 troops in Lebanon, based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Syria's troop deployment was legitimized by the Arab League during Lebanon's civil war and in the Ta'if Accord. Damascus justifies its continued military presence in Lebanon by citing Beirut's requests and the failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord. Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000, however, encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. The passage of UNSCR 1559 in early October 2004 - a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs - further emboldened Lebanese groups opposed to Syria's presence in Lebanon. "

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/le.html

[mutus_frutex]

5. This is a good move on the part of the Syrians..

Especially in light of the fact that even an SOB like Saddam was shown to be acting in good faith. This will play well in Europe and boost Syria's image there. If they withdraw, I doubt * can do anything without really pissing off the europeans..

Still, I find it hard to think it will happen, I think it depends on how much the economic involvement of Syria in Lebanon is tied to the military occupation (plus all the Hezbolla mess).