Beirut, March 7, SPA -- A top Lebanese official said Syriantroops will begin pulling back toward the Syrian border onMonday. The withdrawal from central and northern Lebanon towardthe Bekaa Valley will begin right after a meeting inDamascus, Syria, of the presidents of the two countries,Lebanese Defense Minister Abdul-Rahim Murad told TheAssociated Press. Assad and Lebanese President Emile Lahoudwill decide on the timetable of the pullback andrepositioning of forces. "The Syrian withdrawal will begin Monday directly afterthe meeting in Damascus of the Syrian and Lebaneseleaderships," Murad said.--SPA1140 Local Time 0840 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/244730