Lebanese troops take up positions outside Syrian Intel HQ in Beirut.

[rooboy]

breaking on CNN Int'l. No link at this stage - I imagine Fox is busy covering Paris Hilton or something like that, but will try and find something.

[Teaser]

1. No details at all?

What's going on there?

[rooboy]

2. Seems to be related to the anticipated pullout by Syria...

suspect that the troops are there to prevent protesters from launching some sort of assault on the Syrians.

[maddezmom]

3. here's a link

Syria Expected to Announce Lebanon Pullout

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=2&u=/ap/20050305/ap_on_re_mi_ea/lebanon_syrian_troops

[Teaser]

4. Thats what I've been predicting.

The Syrians are implementing a partial pullout. It's not enough to make us happy, but will probably get most other nations off their back for 6 months to a year or so. During which time they will attempt to negotiate a small but permanent troop presence with the lebanese government, in order to maintain bagaining potential.

It will be interesting to see what president fool does when he realizes he's being defied.

[Wright Patman]

5. "Foreign troops" in Iraq?

I've heard rumors of this for a while now. Can someone confirm this for me? And if it is true, when are the Iraqis and the 'world community' going to demand these foreigners leave?

[DistressedAmerican]

6. I'm Not Sure A Withdrawl Will Be Good Enough For The Neocons

I expect they are still on the menu!

[ewagner]

7. Sooooo.....

If Syria refuses, will there be an armed conflict between Lebanese and Syrian forces?

Will the US intervene?

[zbird]

8. Great quote from * on the CNN article:

snip...
U.S. President Bush added to the pressure Friday, saying, "The world is beginning to speak with one voice. We want that democracy in Lebanon to succeed, and we know it cannot succeed so long as she is occupied by a foreign power."
snip...

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/03/05/syria/index.html

Do you think he realizes the irony of that statement?

[bemildred]

9. No, he doesn't know we are a "foreign power" in Iraq. nt

[Blue to the bone]

10. According to the BBC, the Lebanese troops have pulled back...

<<Hours before the anticipated address, Lebanese troops briefly deployed near the Syrian intelligence headquarters in Beirut, before withdrawing.>>

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4321033.stm