JERUSALEM, Feb. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Israel welcomed a Syrian announcement that it would pull out forces from Lebanon, Ha'aretz daily reported on its website on Thursday.

    "Israel supports the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for the withdrawal of foreign forces and the disarming of all militias, including Hezbollah," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said.

    Syria has indicated its readiness to work with the United Nations to implement the UN resolution requiring Syrian troops to leave Lebanon.

    International pressure on Syria to pull out its 14,000 troop sand relinquish its political grip on its tiny neighbor has increased since last week's assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in a massive bomb attack in Beirut. Hariri, an opponent to Syria's influence on Lebanon, resigned last October over disputes with incumbent President Emile Lahoud, a Damascus favorite.

    "The important withdrawals that have been carried out so far and will be carried out later will be done in agreements with Lebanon against the backdrop of the Taif Accord and the mechanism it entails," Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed al-Mualem said on Thursday in Damascus.

    The Taif Accord that ended Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war called for a redeployment of Syrian troops to eastern Lebanon, followed by agreements on a timetable for a full withdrawal.

    US President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he would wait for Syria's response to an international call before seeking possible UN sanctions against Damascus. Enditem