Lebanon yesterday marked its first Independence Day for three decades without the presence of Syrian troops. Pro-Damascus President Emile Lahoud, under pressure since Syria pulled out its troops from Lebanon last April, sat in frosty silence next to his rival, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, at an Independence Day military parade. In a gesture toward Damascus, Siniora said Beirut wanted good relations with its large neighbor who dominated Lebanon since it sent in troops in 1976. But, he said, that depended on Syria. âWe want to have excellent relations with Syria, based on mutual respect.â He added: âThe problem is not on the side of Lebanon which unceasingly expresses its stand for ties based on cooperation and mutual respect.â