BERLIN - German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Monday hailed Syria's decision to fully withdraw its forces from Lebanon as a "step in the right direction".
"The announcement that Syria will withdraw its forces from Lebanon is a positive step in the right direction," Fischer said in a statement ahead of a delayed trip to the Middle East.
He said the priority now was for the "full and speedy" implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1559, which calls for an end to foreign interference in Lebanon and a dismantling of militias.
"This is especially important with regard to the upcoming elections in Lebanon," Fischer added.
On Saturday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad told UN envoy Terje Roed-Larsen that Syria would make a full withdrawal of an estimated 14,000 troops and intelligence operatives from neighbouring Lebanon.
Despite the delay in his trip which had originally been scheduled to start on Sunday, Fischer was still expected to attend the opening ceremony of the new Yad Vashem Holocaust remembrance museum in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
03/14/2005 15:50 GMT