A top Lebanese official said Syrian troops will begin pulling back toward the Syrian border on Monday. The withdrawal from central and northern Lebanon toward the Bekaa Valley will begin right after a meeting in Damascus, Syria, of the presidents of the two countries, Lebanese Defense Minister Abdul-Rahim Murad told The Associated Press. Assad and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud will decide on the timetable of the pullback and repositioning of forces. "The Syrian withdrawal will begin Monday directly after the meeting in Damascus of the Syrian and Lebanese leaderships," Murad said.
