PLANS AGREED ON

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 150, 22 December 1945, Page 7

PLANS AGREED ON

BRITAIN AND FRANCE

WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS

FROM LEVANT (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) Rec. 10.30 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 21.

The intention of Britain and France to ensure independence for the Levant States is declared in the text of joint policy statements relating to the regrouping: and withdrawal of troops from the Levant.

Each Government also affirms its intention to do nothing to supplant the interests and responsibilities of the other in the Middle East, having full regard for the political status of the countries in question.

One of the objects of discussions which are proceeding at present in Beirut will be the fixing of a very early date for beginning the withdrawal programme.

It is understood that the evacuation of Syria will be carried out in such a way and in such proportions that the British and French' troops will be withdrawn at the same time. It will be organised so that there will be sufficient forces in the Levant to guarantee security until such time as the United Nations have decided on the organisation of collective security in this zone. Until these arrangements have been carried out, the French Government will retain forces regrouped ,in the Lebanon.

It is pointed out in London that the British Minister in Beirut has assured the Syrian and Lebanese Governments that British troops will remain in the Lebanon as long as any French troops are there. .