Mideast situation/Lebanon – Japan Foreign Ministry statement on Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon – Japanese Govt. press release/Non-UN document

---

Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon

March 13, 2005

1. The Government of Japan welcomes that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad committed, in his meeting with UN Secretary General Special Envoy Terje Roed-Larsen on March 12, to complete withdrawal of Syrian forces and intelligence personnel from Lebanon, in fulfillment of the UNSC resolution 1559 which, among other obligations, calls upon all remaining foreign forces to withdraw from Lebanon. A part of Syrian forces have already started their withdrawal, and Japan considers it is important that further concrete steps will be taken to achieve the complete withdrawal as was committed.

2. Syria and Lebanon are both the parties to the Middle East peace problems. Japan therefore hopes that withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon according to the UNSC resolution 1559 and the holding of the election of the Lebanese parliament in a smooth and peaceful manner will eventually contribute to bringing about a just and comprehensive solution to the Middle East peace problems, which are currently at a critical juncture.