Syria says its last soldier has left Lebanon, ending its 29-year military presence in the country.
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara informed the United Nations of the completed withdrawal Tuesday.
But U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan later stressed he has not yet verified the pullout. He added that he is looking into allegations that Syrian military intelligence personnel remain inside Lebanon in new positions.
A U.N. team is in the region to determine if Syria has fully withdrawn. The United States also stressed the need for the pullout to be verified.
The withdrawal follows the February 14th assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, which increased pressure from the Lebanese opposition, the United States and other countries on Syria to leave the country.
