Syria will abide by a 1989 agreement in withdrawing its troops from Lebanon, Deputy Foreign Minister, Walid al Moalem stated on Thursday. According to this statement, Syria is surprised over the media and political escalation in pursuing the implementation of the UN resolution 1559.
The statement added that "Syria expresses utmost care for cooperation with the UN. secretary general’s envoy to accomplish his mission with the best possible formula, and reiterates commitment to the implementation of al Taief Agreement and bilateral agreements which were concluded between Syria and Lebanon."
"Syria sees that the acceleration of the pace of the withdrawals requires enabling the Lebanese army and internal security troops to fill the gap in a way that does not harm the security of Lebanon and Syria."
According to SANA, al Moalem went on to say that Syria also stresses that it is fully interested in completing the investigations into the assassination of ex-Lebanon Premier Rafik Hariri as soon as possible so that the "truth can be revealed away from emotional accusation and irresponsible statements." In this regard Syria expressed readiness to extend any help that Lebanon may ask in the current investigations in addition to what Lebanon may ask for other international and Arab help which aim at unveiling this "ugly crime."
