Syria Says 'Last' Soldier Withdrawn From Lebanon
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=D1E8E9:2F72C9DSyria's top military commanders bid their farewells to Lebanon at an
old air base close to the Lebanon-Syria border
Syrian soldiers applaud as they cross the Lebanese border point of
Masnaa in the Bekaa Valley, east of Beirut
Syria says it has withdrawn its last soldier from Lebanon, following
an official ceremony near the Lebanon-Syria border. The event
symbolically brought to a close Syria's 29-year military occupation.
A Lebanese army band played Syria's national anthem, and troops from
both countries stood at attention, in a ceremony meant to honor Syrian
troops before bringing down the curtain on their 29-year occupation.
An elite Syrian army unit had remained in Lebanon, overnight, after
Syria's top commander, General Rustom Ghazali, handed over his
headquarters, Monday.
Wearing their trademark red berets, the soldiers chanted slogans to
honor their president, Bashar al-Assad.
Syrian Army Chief of Staff General Ali Habib spoke first, insisting
that "Syria had accomplished a sacred mission" in defending Lebanon
and would do so again if the need arose. Lebanese Army Commander
General Michel Suleiman thanked Syria for preventing the partition of
Lebanon during its 1975 to 1990 civil war.
A statue was also unveiled in memory of the 12,000 Syrian soldiers
that died on Lebanese soil, during the course of their 29-year
presence.
The farewell ceremonies took place amid heavy security at an old
Lebanese Air Force base in the eastern Bekaa Valley, near the
international border.
Syria's final 300 soldiers crossed the border in the Lebanese town of
Masnaa. As they left, Lebanese army troops sealed the military road
that had long permitted Syrian troops and officials to enter Lebanon
without going through customs.
Eyewitnesses say dozens of overjoyed Lebanese citizens danced and
chanted, in several border towns, after the Syrian departure. Syrians
across the border danced and waved flags to welcome the soldiers home.
A U.N. team has been sent to the region to verify the withdrawal.
Anger over the February 14 assassination of former Lebanese premier
Rafik Hariri, blamed by many Lebanese on Damascus, triggered large
protests in Beirut that brought down the pro-Syrian government. U.N.
and U.S. pressure intensified on Damascus until President Bashar
al-Assad announced on March 5 that he would withdraw his forces.