BEIRUT: Lebanese troops took over a key Syrian checkpoint on the Beirut-Damascus highway on Monday and the Syrians, now committed to leaving Lebanon by April 30, prepared to abandon a nearby intelligence building. Witnesses said Lebanese soldiers were manning the roadblock at the eastern town of Shtoura in the Bekaa Valley, replacing Syrian intelligence agents who held it for nearly three decades. The Syrians also vacated their military hospital in Shtoura, moving out in 15 trucks and other vehicles, the witnesses said. Senior Syrian and Lebanese military officers were meeting in the Bekaa to agree on the details of Syria's plan to withdraw its remaining forces from Lebanon by the end of the month.