Syrian troops leaving Beirut

By CNN Beirut Bureau Chief Brent Sadler

BEIRUT (CNN) -- Syrian troops were pulling out of Beirut on Sunday, a sea change in Syria's military profile in Lebanon.

The pullout, expected to be completed within 48 hours, does not spell an end to Syria's military presence in Lebanon. Some 30,000 Syrian soldiers are still in the country.

Those who are leaving are being replaced in many cases by Lebanonese troops, especially in central Beirut and along the coastal highways.

The Syrian withdrawal from Beirut is significant, however. Syrian troops have been a presence here for more than two decades. They came as peace-keepers in the mid-1970s to help bring an end to Lebanon's civil war, but they remained.

Redeployment stalled until now

Under the Taif Accord, which ended Lebanon's civil war 10 years ago, the Syrian troops were to redeploy to the mountains and the Bekaa Valley. That long-awaited redeployment was stalled until now.

The troop movement is the culmination of months of political dialogue in both Beirut and Damascus, Syria.

The move comes in the wake of Israel's withdrawal one year ago from southern Lebanon and amid much greater political openness in Lebanon toward the whole issue of Syria's dominant and often controversial role in its neighboring country.

Syrian troops began leaving Thursday, particularly in Christian neighborhoods, where their presence was criticized by leaders of the Maronite Catholic Church.