Syrian Troops Leave North Lebanon; Only Intelligence Offices Remain

[TacticalPeek]

Syrian Troops Leave North Lebanon; Only Intelligence Offices Remain

By Zeina Karam Associated Press Writer
Published: Mar 11, 2005


BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - A 62-vehicle convoy carrying Syrian troops and equipment withdrawn from northern Lebanon crossed the border early Saturday in a heavy snow as Syrians at the frontier welcomed the troops home, throwing flowers and chanting, "We love Syria!"

But intelligence agents remained in nine offices in northern Lebanon, and the U.N. Mideast envoy said Syria needs to produce a timetable for a full withdrawal from the rest of Lebanon.

The civilians gathered under the roof of a Syrian customs checkpoint, seeking shelter from the cold and heavy snow that delayed the crossing for several hours. They waved Syrian flags and blew whistles. Some handed flowers to the soldiers, while others threw rice, rose petals and sweets in a traditional Arab welcome. Some in the crowd sang national songs to the beat of drums.

The convoy crossed the border at Jedeidet Yabous, 30 miles from Damascus and 62 miles east of Beirut, the Lebanese capital.


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[bilgewaterbill]

1. That was quick.

Be interested to see where these troops are redeployed. Maybe Assad is worried about an invasion from Iraq.

[Guckert]

2. When Bush speaks, people listen.....I mean Laugh out loud...

NO doubt Bushy will take full credit for the exit. Just like the GOP rushing Reagan to Germany and propping him in front of the wall, (that was going to come down anyway).
Now they say he was responsible for the wall coming down.
He thought he was at Disneyland riding "it's a small world".

[Dancing_Dave]

3. Neither Syria or Lebanon will fall into Bush's trap!

Syria and Lebanon are very historically and culturally connected. They both have religious diversity of Sunnis, Shias and Christians. In fact,most of the Christian refugees from Iraq are now living in Syria.

The Western media has very much over-played and exagerated protest of some Lebanese against the Syrian presense in Lebanon. In fact, the anti-Syrian protests were soon followed by much larger pro-Syrian rallies. Many of the pro-Syrian demonstrators came from Southern Lebanon, where the people still count on Syrian help in resisting ongoing Israli bombardments and incursions into their airspace.

The Syrian government will withdraw troops, but it's close relationship to the Lebanese government will remain--for some very good reasons. Lebanon has benefited so greatly from the period of peace and security that Syria has helped to bring about and maintain.