Syrian troops left northern Lebanon on Friday but intelligence agents remained in nine offices. Convoys of Syrian trucks were seen driving Thursday night toward northern Syria. Empty trucks and buses arrived in central Lebanon Thursday, apparently to pick up Syrian supplies and soldiers who are headed east.
According to The AP, nine Syrian intelligence offices remain in northern Lebanon, including the towns of Tripoli, Akkar, Minye and Amyoun.
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday that Syria's withdrawal from Lebanon should include the pullout of intelligence agents. "We are examining the recent development of events," Lavrov said after talks with visiting Lebanese opposition leader Walid Jumblatt. "We proceed from the assumption that the withdrawal will also apply to representatives of the security services."
Jumblatt said the opposition wants a full withdrawal of all Syrian forces from Lebanon, "especially representatives of the security services."
Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Omar Karami said in comments published Friday that international observers are welcome to monitor parliamentary elections scheduled to start next month, the first time Lebanon has signaled an acceptance of foreign monitors.
