Lebanon Photo
Diary, Lebanese News in Pictures.
Pictures of recent events in Lebanon.
This page is updated frequently. For more pictures please visit the photographic archive.
For photographs of the Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon click here.
In July 2003 another Syrian troop redeployment began suddenly and unannounced in the late night hours of July 14 and continued for four days. Although no official figures for the net reduction of Syria's troop presence were made available by either government, Lebanese military sources said that roughly 1,000 soldiers, two dozen tanks, and several dozen armored personnel carriers were withdrawn from the country. Most of the positions vacated by the Syrians were of little or no strategic value. A striking indication of their ancillary nature was the fact that, in nearly all cases, no Lebanese army troops moved in to replace departing Syrian forces.
South of Beirut
Numerous positions in the southern suburbs of Beirut were
evacuated or turned over to the Lebanese military, particularly in
Shweifat, just south of Beirut International Airport, and Khalde and
Aaramoun, around 10 km (6 miles) south of the capital. A small
contingent of Syrian soldiers has remained at the Beirut headquarters
of Syrian military intelligence. Some Syrian troops reportedly continue
to man a strategic position in Khalde at the junction of roads leading
into Beirut and to the Shouf region, as well as some checkpoints near
the Palestinian refugee camps of Shatilla and Bourj al-Barajnah. In
Aaramoun, at least one major position overlooking Beirut International
Airport remains under the control of the Syrians.
North Lebanon
In north Lebanon, Syrian troops vacated or scaled down seven
positions in the districts of Koura and Batroun. Syrian positions in
Arida and Deir Ammar were completely dismantled. In Qolaiaat, the
Syrians greatly reduced their troop strength at a major airstrip.
Syrian troops still maintain a strong presence in the northern port of
Tripoli and in the Akkar region.
Beqaa Valley
In the northern Beqaa Valley, three positions in the vicinity of
Baalbak (Maqni al-Kunaysah, Douris, and Al-Tawfiqiyyah) were vacated by
around 300 members of Syria's 18th Brigade. This was said to be the
first time that Syria has reduced its military presence in the northern
Beqaa in over two decades. According to a Lebanese army source, the
redeployment from Baalbak was a last minute decision, not part of the
original plan.