2008 Woodie Awards
Syrian Troops Leave Lebanon
After 29 years of military presence, the last Syrian troops leave Lebanon.
Brittany Lee
Issue date: 4/29/05 Section: News
On Tuesday, April 26, the last of the Syrian troops were reported to have left Lebanon in compliance with international and Lebanese demands. This ended the 29 year military presence of the Syrian army in neighboring Lebanon.
In Bekaa Valley, a formal ceremony marked the departure, with Syrians waving flags to welcome back the troops. Over 400 Lebanese and Syrian troops met on the parade grounds to be jointly reviewed by the chief of staffs.
Syria's troops have been a dominate force in Lebanon for 29 years, controlling much of the country's affairs. Syria entered the country as peacekeepers in the Lebanese civil war in 1976. In the nineties 40,000 troops still remained, but over the last 15 years that number declined to around 14,000.
It was after the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a car bombing, which occurred earlier this year on February 14, that pressure came to withdraw Syrian forces. The Lebanese people blamed Damascus for their leader's death, triggering massive demonstrations and strong calls for the removal of Syrian presence. In addition, opposition groups called for the resignation of all top Lebanese security officials considered to be pro-Syrian. Security chief Jamil al-Sayyed, a pro-Syrian, quit this Monday after Syria made its decision to remove the remaining troops.
Syrian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ali Habib defended the position of his country, stating Lebanon was being left a stronger nation as a result of Syria's almost three decade long stay. The Lebanese Army Commander, Gen. Michel Suleiman agrees that the nations of Syria and Lebanon will always be linked, "Our challenges are one. Our interests are one" he stated.
The removal of troops followed after a U.N. resolution, Resolution 1559, called for Syria's departure from Lebanon as well as Lebanon's disbandment of guerrilla troops. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri played a critical role in getting this resolution passed, and his death is under an international investigation authorized by the U.N. The U.N. report concerning Resolution 1559, released this month, stated that Syria interfered with governance in Lebanon and was the central cause of the political polarization that developed prior to the assassination of Hariri.
In Bekaa Valley, a formal ceremony marked the departure, with Syrians waving flags to welcome back the troops. Over 400 Lebanese and Syrian troops met on the parade grounds to be jointly reviewed by the chief of staffs.
Syria's troops have been a dominate force in Lebanon for 29 years, controlling much of the country's affairs. Syria entered the country as peacekeepers in the Lebanese civil war in 1976. In the nineties 40,000 troops still remained, but over the last 15 years that number declined to around 14,000.
It was after the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a car bombing, which occurred earlier this year on February 14, that pressure came to withdraw Syrian forces. The Lebanese people blamed Damascus for their leader's death, triggering massive demonstrations and strong calls for the removal of Syrian presence. In addition, opposition groups called for the resignation of all top Lebanese security officials considered to be pro-Syrian. Security chief Jamil al-Sayyed, a pro-Syrian, quit this Monday after Syria made its decision to remove the remaining troops.
Syrian Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ali Habib defended the position of his country, stating Lebanon was being left a stronger nation as a result of Syria's almost three decade long stay. The Lebanese Army Commander, Gen. Michel Suleiman agrees that the nations of Syria and Lebanon will always be linked, "Our challenges are one. Our interests are one" he stated.
The removal of troops followed after a U.N. resolution, Resolution 1559, called for Syria's departure from Lebanon as well as Lebanon's disbandment of guerrilla troops. Former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri played a critical role in getting this resolution passed, and his death is under an international investigation authorized by the U.N. The U.N. report concerning Resolution 1559, released this month, stated that Syria interfered with governance in Lebanon and was the central cause of the political polarization that developed prior to the assassination of Hariri.