Syria Committed to Withdraw From Lebanon

By ALBERT AJI
Associated Press Writer

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- Syria will abide by a 1989 agreement in withdrawing its troops from Lebanon, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday in the first government statement since an international uproar arose against Damascus from the Feb. 14 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

Lebanese officials confirmed the withdrawl of troops from the coast and mountain areas to the eastern Bekaa Valley on the Syrian border, but gave no timeframe.

"The decision to withdraw has been taken," said Defense Minister Abdul-Rahim Murad in television interviews. "What remains is the exact timing."

Lebanese and Syrian military officers have begun meetings to define "the dates and the way" the withdrawal will take place, Murad said.

Syria also offered to help Lebanon with the investigation into Hariri's slaying.

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