Syrian President Bashar al-Assad prepared to announce tomorrow a partial pullout of troops from Lebanon, but US President George W. Bush warned nothing short of a full withdrawal would satisfy Washington.
"When we say withdraw we mean complete withdrawal, no half-hearted measures," Bush told an audience in New Jersey today.
"Syrian troops, Syrian intelligence services must get out of Lebanon now." Mr Bush called in an interview published earlier for all Syrian forces to be out by May to clear the way for fair elections.
In a speech to Syria's parliament, Assad is expected announce the pullout of some troops completely from Lebanon and the redeployment of the rest close to the border, Lebanese political sources said today.
Abdel Halim Mrad, defence minister in the Syrian-backed Lebanese government which resigned on Monday, said the move would adhere to the Taif Accord which ended Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.
"Syria will redeploy its forces in line with Taif," he said.
The agreement stipulates Syrian forces be redeployed to the eastern Bekaa Valley, and then that the Lebanese and Syrian governments agree on how long these forces stay.
Syria has carried out five redeployments since 2000, pulling some forces to the Bekaa and some back to Syria, but has maintained forces in and around Beirut and in northern Lebanon.
Pressure on Damascus has intensified since former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri was assassinated last month in a bombing many Lebanese blame on Syria.
Syria denies involvement. While the pressure from Arab leaders is veiled, Western governments have become increasingly blunt.
US officials said Washington and European allies wanted to be ready to act quickly, perhaps with sanctions and a tougher U.N. resolution, if Syria failed to pull out.
Mr Bush said in an interview in the New York Post: "This is non-negotiable. It is time to get out ... I think we've got a good chance to achieve that objective and to make sure that the May elections (in Lebanon) are fair. I don't think you can have fair elections with Syrian troops there."