BEIRUT - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is due to announce on Saturday a partial pullback of troops into the eastern Lebanese Bekaa valley in less than three weeks, a minister in the outgoing Lebanese government said.
But the minister said Syria was seeking "guarantees" before announcing a complete withdrawal of troops stationed in Lebanon as demanded by the international community.
"We expect an announcement for a pullback into the Bekaa before the Arab summit" due to take place on March 23 in Algeria, the minister, who declined to be named, told AFP.
"The announcement for a complete withdrawal will depend on politcal consultations," he said. "Syria wants guarantees, a sort of a roadmap, and wants consultations at the regional and international levels for the resumption of the peace process."
Syria has been under intense pressure from the Lebanese opposition and the international community to pull out its estimated 14,000 troops.
03/04/2005 12:16 GMT