April 28, 2005
The secretary general of the United Nations President of the Security Council
The government of the Syrian Arab Republic would like to officially inform you that the Syrian Arab Forces stationed in Lebanon at the request of Lebanon and under an Arab mandate have fully withdrawn all their military, security apparatus and assets to their positions in Syria on the 26th of April 2005, and as such have completed their successive withdrawals that started years ago.
In this letter the government of the Syrian Arab Republic would also like to assure the Security Council that the implementation by its military and security forces of all the relevant provisions in SC Resolution 1559 (2004) without delay was primarily dictated by Syria's unwavering commitment to the Charter of the United Nations and its resolutions. This commitment is documented in the records of the United Nations, and throughout the different stages of the crises and disputes that erupted in the Middle East region.
It is in this context that Syria feels that it is right and duty bound in drawing the attention of the Security Council to the positive role it played in putting an end to the Civil War in Lebanon, in preserving Lebanon's territorial integrity, and in contributing with other fraternal Arab countries and friends to the realization of Lebanese national reconciliation amidst extremely complicated and perilous circumstances. Furthermore, Syria is also right in singling out one of its most significant achievements in Lebanon that is the valuable contribution it made of its own accord to building a national Lebanese army that became the pride of the Lebanese of all stripes. Such achievements speak volumes of Syria's credibility and sincere desire to see Lebanon as a sovereign and independent state.
The course that Syria chose to follow in its compliance with the resolutions of international legitimacy is an example that aught to be emulated. Syria feels that it is right to expect from the council recognition of this event that is commensurate with its significance. Therefore, Syria urges the Council to make every effort and evince the same determination and seriousness in order to implement the remaining Security Council Resolutions, namely those relevant to the complete withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the occupied Syrian Golan, the Lebanese Shab'a Farms and the occupied Palestinian territories to the line of June 4th 1967 in addition to guaranteeing the national rights of the Palestinian people. Syria stands ready as always to cooperate with these international efforts, and will implement its commitments so that these efforts are crowned with success.
Rest assured, your Excellencies, of my highest esteem and appreciation.
Farouk al-Shara' Minister for Foreign Affairs Syrian Arab Republic
Damascus, April 26, 2005
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