A high-ranking Lebanese military source said Sunday Syria is nearing the completion of its troop pullout from Lebanon. Syria plans to have wrapped up the operation ahead of Monday's arrival of U.N. teams who will verify the pullout and prepare a commission to probe the killing of ex-premier Rafik Hariri, official said. Around 100 Syrian trucks loaded with goods and soldiers were seen leaving the historic city of Baalbeck, in eastern Lebanon and crossing the Lebanese border with Syria shortly before sunset. The acceleration of the operation in the last 24 hours came ahead of a report to be presented by U.N. chief Kofi Ananan on Tuesday on the implementation of a resolution calling for an end to foreign troops on Lebanese soil. "The last large convoy will leave the Lebanese territories today," a Syrian military source confirmed earlier Sunday. "The bulk of the forces have left Lebanon and all heavy military equipment has entered the Syrian territories," he said, adding that a convoy of ten trucks would leave by "nightfall Sunday". However "a symbolic presence of military and intelligence forces will be maintained for Tuesday's ceremony to honor the Syrian forces in the presence of the commanders of the Syrian army in Lebanon," the source said.
