Word: syrians
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...nothing if not a sign of Syria’s enduring grip on its smaller neighbor. Nevertheless, it is hard not to be encouraged by the developments so far in Lebanon. The fact that popular protests alone, and not the threat of Western-sponsored sanctions, compelled a change in Syrian government policy is a sure sign that change is beginning to be felt in the greater Middle East...
...recent weeks, tens of thousands of peaceful Lebanese demonstrators have taken to the streets in and around central Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square, calling for the withdrawal of long-time Syrian occupiers. In scenes eerily reminiscent of Ukraine this past fall, ordinary citizens stopped going to work and took part in this impressive campaign of demonstrations. Brandishing Lebanese flags, singing the national anthem, and camping in the streets night and day to ensure that their demands are met, these patriots have achieved a heartening and unique accomplishment that brings much hope for the entire region...
...past several weeks of extraordinary activity culminated in Monday’s announcement that Syria would withdraw its troops in a two-stage process starting immediately. Syrian troops appear so far to be honoring the agreement and are now in the process of pulling back to the Bekaa valley in Eastern Lebanon where they will await another accord that will delineate their final withdrawal. Hopefully negotiations will begin soon after the March 31 deadline that Syria has laid out for relocation of its troops to the valley, and will be successful in ridding Lebanon of its occupiers...
...profoundly unsettling. The agents of Syria’s intelligence apparatus can do even more than traditional ground troops to instill fear among the Lebanese populace, and the coalition of the United States, France, Egypt, and Russia is right to insist on their complete withdrawal. So long as Syrian agents remain in force in Lebanon, able to intimidate and spy on voters, the country cannot truly be free; thus Syria’s commitment to finally ending its interference in its neighbor’s affairs remains suspect...
...heartening. Yet it was also right to remember that progress in the Middle East invariably moves a few steps forward--then a few steps back. Even as thousands of Lebanese gathered in Beirut's Martyrs' Square on Saturday to call on Syria to end its occupation, thousands of Syrians cheered Assad as he told his parliament that he would make only a partial pullback of Syrian forces. "Bush, Bush, listen. The Syrian people will not bow!" chanted the crowd...