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[Tvoivozhd <tvoivozd AT infionline.net>]

Decades overdue, but SOB's plan to still hang on in Bekaa Valley.




Syrian Forces Begin Withdrawing From Areas Near Beirut

*By Hussein Dakroub* Associated Press Writer
Published: Sep 21, 2004

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BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - More than 1,000 of the estimated 20,000 Syrian 
troops in Lebanon began dismantling bases near Beirut Tuesday in 
preparation for redeploying closer to the Syrian border or leaving 
Lebanon, a senior Lebanese military official said.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated 
Press that Syrian soldiers began evacuating hilltop positions in the 
coastal towns of Aramoun, Chuweifat, Damour, Doha and Khaldeh, south of 
Beirut, in the first stage of a major Syrian redeployment. The move, 
though, fell short of withdrawal, the official said. The U.N. Security 
Council has demanded withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon.

The official expected the Syrian redeployment to be completed in a few 
days.

The second phase will see Syrian troops withdrawing from eastern and 
northern areas as a prelude to redeploying in eastern Lebanon's Bekaa 
region or to the border, the official said.

Syria, the main power broker in Lebanon, has about 20,000 troops here.

AP-ES-09-21-04 0443EDT