Post by Tulameen on Feb 25, 2005 11:08:21 GMT -5
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon by April.
In an Arab satellite television interview, Mr Annan warned that the Security Council might take action if Syria fails to pull out by then.
On Thursday Lebanon said Syria would move some of its troops in Lebanon closer to its own border.
Syria is under increasing international pressure to withdraw from Lebanon, where it has kept troops since 1976.
Last year, the UN passed a resolution calling for foreign forces to leave Lebanon.
'Additional measures'
Speaking to Dubai-based al-Arabiya channel, Mr Annan said he will report to the Security Council in April on how far Syria has complied with the resolution.
"If it's partial withdrawal, I will have to report. If it's total withdrawal, I will have to report," Mr Annan is quoted as saying in the interview to be broadcast on Friday.
"But of course, if they [Syria] do not perform, the council may wish to take additional measures," he adds.
Mr Annan's spokesman Fred Eckhard later said Mr Annan's comments should not be interpreted as having set a deadline or expressing support for sanctions if Syrian troops remain in Lebanon beyond April.
On Thursday, Syria said it was "keen" to co-operate with the UN over implementing a resolution passed last year calling for foreign troops to leave Lebanon.
Pressure on Syria to lave Lebanon has intensified since the 14 February car bomb death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
The Lebanese opposition has accused Syria of involvement, but Syria has strongly denied the charge.
'Tactical manoeuvre'
Lebanon's Defence Minister, Abdel Rahim Mrad, said Syria had decided to redeploy troops to the eastern Bekaa Valley.
TAIF ACCORD
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed al-Mualem said a withdrawal would be carried out in line with the Taif Accord which ended the Lebanese civil war.
The 1989 agreement calls for a phased withdrawal of Syrian troops, beginning with redeployment to the Bekaa Valley, but leaves the timing to be decided by the Syrian and Lebanese governments.
Story from BBC NEWS:
news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/4297059.stm
Published: 2005/02/25 11:50:10 GMT
In an Arab satellite television interview, Mr Annan warned that the Security Council might take action if Syria fails to pull out by then.
On Thursday Lebanon said Syria would move some of its troops in Lebanon closer to its own border.
Syria is under increasing international pressure to withdraw from Lebanon, where it has kept troops since 1976.
Last year, the UN passed a resolution calling for foreign forces to leave Lebanon.
'Additional measures'
Speaking to Dubai-based al-Arabiya channel, Mr Annan said he will report to the Security Council in April on how far Syria has complied with the resolution.
"If it's partial withdrawal, I will have to report. If it's total withdrawal, I will have to report," Mr Annan is quoted as saying in the interview to be broadcast on Friday.
"But of course, if they [Syria] do not perform, the council may wish to take additional measures," he adds.
Mr Annan's spokesman Fred Eckhard later said Mr Annan's comments should not be interpreted as having set a deadline or expressing support for sanctions if Syrian troops remain in Lebanon beyond April.
On Thursday, Syria said it was "keen" to co-operate with the UN over implementing a resolution passed last year calling for foreign troops to leave Lebanon.
Pressure on Syria to lave Lebanon has intensified since the 14 February car bomb death of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
The Lebanese opposition has accused Syria of involvement, but Syria has strongly denied the charge.
'Tactical manoeuvre'
Lebanon's Defence Minister, Abdel Rahim Mrad, said Syria had decided to redeploy troops to the eastern Bekaa Valley.
TAIF ACCORD
- 1989 Arab-brokered deal to end Lebanese civil war
- Calls for pullback of Syrian troops to Bekaa Valley
- Lebanon and Syria to agree on duration of troops' presence
- The BBC's Orla Guerin in Damascus says Syria could well move the troops to the border quickly in the hope of easing international pressure, but may resist going further than this.
Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed al-Mualem said a withdrawal would be carried out in line with the Taif Accord which ended the Lebanese civil war.
The 1989 agreement calls for a phased withdrawal of Syrian troops, beginning with redeployment to the Bekaa Valley, but leaves the timing to be decided by the Syrian and Lebanese governments.
Story from BBC NEWS:
news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/4297059.stm
Published: 2005/02/25 11:50:10 GMT