Syria's ambassador to the United States says his government will fully withdraw from Lebanon as soon as possible, perhaps in less than two months.
Speaking at Georgetown University in Washington, Wednesday Ambassador Imad Moustapha said the timing of the withdrawal will be determined by Syrian and Lebanese military officials, who are set to meet next week.
Earlier, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had agreed to present by early next month a firm timetable for the pullout.
Mr. Annan also said he will soon release the findings of the U.N. investigation into the February assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. But he added that a second probe may be needed.
Mr. Annan spoke after news reports said early findings show signs of negligence and possible evidence tampering by Lebanese authorities.
