Beirut, Lebanon, Sept 21, SPA -- More than 1,000 of the estimated 20,000 Syrian troops in Lebanon began dismantling bases near Beirut Tuesday in preparation for redeploying closer to the Syrian border or leaving Lebanon, a senior Lebanesemilitary official said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told TheAssociated Press that Syrian soldiers began evacuatinghilltop positions in the coastal towns of Aramoun,Chuweifat, Damour, Doha and Khaldeh, south of Beirut, inthe first stage of a major Syrian redeployment. The move,though, fell short of withdrawal, the official said. TheU.N. Security Council has demanded withdrawal of allforeign forces from Lebanon. The official expected the Syrian redeployment to becompleted in a few days. The second phase will see Syrian troops withdrawing fromeastern and northern areas as a prelude to redeploying ineastern Lebanon's Bekaa region or to the border, theofficial said.--SPA1151 Local Time 0851 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/203512