Bashar Assad, the Syrian president, said in an interview with the Italian newspaper, La Republica:”.first is that we refer to the United Nations, from which the Resolution was issued. We will respect it.” “.our troops will be redeployed along the Syrian-Lebanese borders, but on the Lebanese side of the border.”
“.the Washington ultimatum has been issued with bad timing: for the 60% of our troops started the withdrawal in 2000.” “.but what is at stake is very important: it touches the core of stability in Lebanon and at our borders.” Later Assad put off the idea that the Americans would attack Syria.