Mixed response to Syrian troop pledge

Syria's announcement of plans to redeploy its troops in Lebanon has prompted a range of reactions in the Middle East's Sunday newspapers.

In Damascus there is hope that the move will ease international pressure. In other Arab capitals there is a mixture of approval for the Syrian step and suspicion of American motives.

An Iranian paper fears the loss of a buffer protecting Tehran, while opinion in Israel is divided on the wisdom of taking the opportunity to give up its own last foothold in Lebanon.

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In taking this historic decision, Syria will have honoured its commitments in the eyes of the objective world. We shall thus be able to face current problems and those that are to come. While congratulating Syria on its courageous decision, the world should in exchange pay her back and stop damaging her.

Syria's Tishrin

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Lebanon was one thing before [Syrian President Bashar] al-Assad's speech and has now become another after it. It seems it is on the threshold of confrontation, not reconciliation. Reactions to the speech are oscillating between hope and despair.

Lebanon's Al-Anwar

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Bashar al-Assad's speech reflects a well-considered political stand and a well-executed, planned military decision which is in line with the Al-Taif agreement on the one hand and Security Council Resolution 1559 on the other. We hope the Syrian pullout from Lebanon will close the dossier on what we can all see is a foreign offensive targeting the peace and security of Arab countries one after the other.

Jordan's Al-Dustur

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Bush's threat to adopt the military option in completing the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon revives memories of the threats issued prior to the invasion of Iraq, despite the failure to secure a legitimate international mandate. It is up to the Arab world this time to unite in solidarity with Syria, in contrast to what happened in Iraq, whose ruling regime was accused of crimes against humanity in order to justify the invasion.

Egypt's Al-Jumhuriyah

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The implementation of the Al-Taif agreement is long overdue - by more than 10 years. This is long enough to have enabled Lebanon to prepare a force capable of providing internal security, as well as to prepare Lebanese security agencies to replace Syrian troops. What is important, in the eyes of international and Arab public opinion, is to establish a timetable for the pullout to be implemented by Syria, thus reviving trust between Damascus and the international community.

Saudi Al-Watan

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The European and US focus on the Syria-Lebanon issue has put Iran's last allies under huge, unprecedented pressure. If they succeed in disarming Hezbollah and if Syrian forces are forced to withdraw from Lebanon, America will heave a sigh of relief that these two countries will be unable to support Iran in the event of a possible confrontation.

Iran's Etemaad

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The changes taking place in Lebanon and the pressure applied on Syria by the USA and France have a positive potential for Israel, if it sticks to its new policy of disengagement. Israeli withdrawal from the Shebaa Farms could assist in speeding up the Syrian departure from Lebanon and increasing internal Lebanese pressure on Hezbollah to disarm and pass full security control in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese army.

Israel's Yediot Ahronot

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It may suddenly dawn on Israel that the weakening of Syria's control in Lebanon enhances the power of the more dangerous enemy, Hezbollah. Israel does have a way to neutralize the Hezbollah threat, or at least to reduce it. It could withdraw from the Shebaa Farms, which no longer serve any security purpose. But why on earth should it? First of all, Syria the occupier should get out of Lebanon, and then we shall see.

Commentator Zvi Barel in Israel's Haaretz

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BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaus abroad.