(14 Jun 2001)
1. Syrian trucks loaded with luggage
2. Syrian soldiers sitting on top of truck
3. Syrian soldiers moving heavy weapon
4. Trucks
5. Syrian troops
6. Truck moving off, pan to truck full of soldiers carrying picture of late Syrian president Hafez Assad
7. Soldiers shouting pro Assad slogans
8. Various soldiers
9. Syrian soldiers carrying huge posters of Syrian president Bashar Assad
10. Soldiers running with poster to truck
11. Syrian trucks on the International road heading towards the Bekaa valley
STORYLINE:
The Syrian army on Thursday started redeploying some of its troops from Beirut's mainly Christian neighbourhoods.
Hours after the Lebanese army announced the Syrian redeployment, about 400 soldiers stationed at a key post in Yarze were seen packing their mattresses, ammunition boxes and pictures of President Bashar Assad.
Army trucks loaded with troops and supplies then headed in the direction of the eastern Bekaa Valley.
It was not immediately clear how far the troops would be moved.
It was also unclear whether the move was a prelude to the withdrawal of the estimated 35-thousand Syrian troops stationed in Lebanon.
Minister of Defence Khalil Hrawi told the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation that the redeployment was a "technical military issue".
He did not elaborate.
Under the 1989 Taif Accord, which ended Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war, Syrian troops should have withdrawn from Beirut to the high mountains of central Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley several years ago.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
