The Taif Agreement
Update: Al-Jarallah take:Syria shouldn’t have spoiled its wise decision by tying it to the Al-Taif agreement because this gives the impression the Syrian regime is ashamed of getting along with the rest of the world.
Following up on Rusty’s post yesterday”, The Lebanese Daily Star has an editorial about the proposed withdrawal of some Syrian troops from Lebanon:
A full Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon is a widely shared goal….The Syrian government says the redeployment is not based on UN demands for the withdrawal of foreign forces, but on the 15-year-old Taif agreement that provides the legal basis for Syria’s military presence in Lebanon. The long-term presence of Syrian troops here since 1976 has been based on a complex convergence of political and military dynamics, most of which are nearing the end of their shelf life – which is why recent public calls for a full resumption of Lebanese sovereignty have been so strong…. By itself, though, it does not solve or even signal movement toward solving the major challenges that plague Lebanon and Syria alike, including promoting economic investment and growth creating jobs, reforming and modernizing the education system and deepening citizen participation in governance through greater accountability and transparency. Syria must continue to act in a manner and direction that indicate its awareness of the urgent need to continue addressing the many constraints, challenges and opportunities that face it. This means faster withdrawal from Lebanon, economic and political reform inside Syria, an honorable and legitimate peace agreement with Israel and constructive ties with its many regional partners. ..After the redeployment now under way, some 15,000 Syrian troops will remain in Lebanon, down from a high of 35,000 in 1989. Much work remains to be done, and redeploying troops is only the starting point, though a crucial one
I guess that US sponsored UN resolution on the continuing occupation of Lebanon might have had a little bite after all. Iraq effect #47.
Note- Right on Red’s take: The US & France (of all people) back a UN resolution pressuring Syria to get its dirty paws off of Lebanon, and it seems to be working – for now. Could it be that Syria fears unilateral US action to enforce a UN mandate? Nah, couldnt be.
More on the UN resolution here.
