"The Syrian-Lebanese council today took a series of measure to put in place the Taef agreement with a view to a complete Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon," the official said, referring to Monday's meeting between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lebanese President Emile Lahoud.

"The Syrian withdrawal will include the Syrian military intelligence services who are part of the Syrian forces," the official said, without giving a date when the withdrawal would take place.

The Taef accord between the two governments, which paved the way for the end of Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, stipulated any Syrian pullout would begin with a redeployment to the Bekaa Valley of eastern Lebanon bordering Syria.

The United States and other major powers have repeatedly called on Syria to ensure a full and immediate withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon, including military intelligence.

The official's comments marked the first time that Damascus has mentioned a plan to pull its intelligence officers out of Lebanon. It is thought that there are between 3,000-4,000 such agents in the country.

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