Assad says Syrian troops in Lebanon will be pulled back to east, then border

DAMASCUS - President Bashar al-Assad said Saturday that Syria would pull its troops in Lebanon back to the eastern Bekaa Valley and then to the border.
"As an extension of measures already taken, within the framework of the (1989) Taef accord, which is compatible with UN Security Council Resolution 1559, we will withdraw our forces stationed in Lebanon to the Bekaa Valley and then to the border" with Syria," he said in an address to the Syrian parliament.
"I have agreed with (Lebanese) President Emile Lahoud that the Supreme Council on Security should meet this week to approve the withdrawal plan and then we will have fulfilled our obligations under the Taef accord and under (UN Security Council) Resolution 1559."

03/05/2005 17:14 GMT