 As the head of Syrian intelligence in Lebanon packed to leave with his country's remaining troops Monday night, Israel expressed hope the withdrawal would pave the way to peace with Beirut. "We hope such withdrawal will open the path to peace with Lebanon with whom we have no territorial conflict," said Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom.
| Not if Hezbollah has its way... |
But, the Israeli official added the situation remains "delicate," expressing doubt the withdrawal would be complete. He said: "We are not entirely sure that the Syrians ... have withdrawn their intelligence services." Shalom noted Lebanese President Emile Lahoud's close ties to Syria, in addition to Syria's support for the Lebanese resistance group Hizbullah. He added: "Hence, Lebanon has [only] cut the umbilical cord with Syria." But, measuring his words, Shalom said: "Now that Lebanon is being liberated, there exists the possibility that the authentic national forces in this country will see that it is in their interests to live in peace with Israel."
| Hezbollah won't. I'd bet money on that. |
The foreign minister's comments came as the highest ranking Syrian intelligence officer quit his Lebanese headquarters in the border town of Anjar Monday, virtually completing the pullout of Syrian forces from Lebanon. According to security sources and witnesses in the area, Rustom Ghazaleh, Syria's intelligence chief in Lebanon, left for Damascus Monday, but is expected to return Tuesday to take part in a farewell ceremony for Syrian forces. The sources said a token number of some 200 Syrian soldiers remain in Lebanon to take part in Tuesday's ceremony at Riyyak military airbase, hours before an expected UN progress report on Syria and Lebanon's implementation of Security Council Resolution 1559. Lebanese troops took over Monday the last Syrian checkpoints and a base in the town of Chtaura, witnesses added. Syrian agents were seen burning documents, painting over graffiti and demolishing walls at the intelligence base before leaving in buses carrying portraits of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Local residents welcomed the Lebanese troops as they took position, waving the country's flag and showering them with flowers and rice. It was also reported the military road linking the two countries will be closed after the farewell ceremony. |