Syrian troops leave northern Bekaa valley in eastern Lebanon, April 24, 2005. Syrian officials confirmed that the last Syrian forces in Lebanon's Bekaa valley began withdrawal on Sunday and were expected to complete the pullout by Monday. The move ended Syria's 29-year military presence in Lebanon in line with UN Resolution 1559. (Xinhua Photo)

Syrian troops leave northern Bekaa valley in eastern Lebanon, April 24, 2005. (Xinhua photo)

Syrian troops leave northern Bekaa valley in eastern Lebanon, April 24, 2005.  (Xinhua photo)

    BEIJING, April 25 -- Syria has neared the completion of its troop pullout from Lebanon after three decades of political and military domination.

    Lebanon's official ANI news agency said that the remaining Syrian troops are a token force scheduled to take the salute at a farewell ceremony on Tuesday.

    The news agency said Syrian forces have completed the sixth and final stage of their pullout from Lebanon, in accordance with the Taef agreement and the timetable set by the joint military committee.

    UN teams are due in Lebanon Monday to verify the Syrian withdrawal, required by a Security Council resolution passed last September demanding the departure of all foreign troops.

    UN chief Kofi Annan is scheduled to give a compliance report on Tuesday.

    Damascus's decision to withdraw was made under intense international pressure following the February 14 bomb blast that killed five-time Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)