Lebanon's most powerful pro-Syrian security chief resigned today, before the last Syrian forces were due to leave Lebanon and end Damascus' 29-year domination.
The resignation of Jamil al-Sayyed, head of the General Security, signalled the collapse of the Syrian-installed security apparatus that had effectively run Lebanon for years.
Mr Sayyed said last week he was ready to step aside during a UN-ordered international investigation into the 14 February killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, which sparked angry protests against the Syrians many blamed.
Syria bowed to international and Lebanese pressure last month and began pulling its 14,000 troops and many more spies from Lebanon. Only a few hundred remain in the eastern Bekaa Valley, where the Lebanese Army prepared today to take over the Syrian intelligence headquarters in the town of Anjar.
Protests by Lebanon's anti-Syrian opposition toppled the pro-Syrian government in the wake of Hariri's death. Their demands for security chiefs to resign and for an international probe into Hariri's killing are now also being realised.
