LEBANON/SYRIA

Backed into a corner and weaker than ever, but don't underestimate Bashar Assad : The sons of famous men often struggle to make their mark. And Syria's president, Bashar al-Assad, is struggling more than most as he contemplates the loss of Lebanon and his country's increasing international isolation.

Syria to blame in Israel blast, U.S. declares:: White House press secretary Scott McClellan said, "We do have firm evidence that the bombing in Tel Aviv was not only authorized by Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders in Damascus, but that Islamic Jihad leaders in Damascus participated in the planning."

Israel Welcomes Lebanese Uprising: Israel's foreign minister is hoping for peace with Lebanon in the wake of popular protests in Beirut demanding that Syria leave after decades of occupation, while others warn that a Syrian exit could destabilize the country.

Blair Warns Syria the World Is Watching : British Prime Minister Tony Blair warned Syria that the world is watching its actions closely, adding to diplomatic pressure on Damascus as Washington steps up calls for Syrian troops to withdraw from Lebanon.

Bush Orders Syria Out of Lebanon : The world, Bush said, "is speaking with one voice when it comes to making sure that democracy has a chance to flourish in Lebanon."

Syria puts timetable on pullout: UNDER intense US pressure, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has committed his country to pulling its troops out of neighbouring Lebanon within "the next few months".

Lebanon's Hariri Killed To Make a 'Clean Break'? : The assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, in Beirut on Feb. 14, was a carefully planned and executed act, geared to trigger a chain reaction of events in the region, that would conform with the long-standing policy of the neo-conservative junta running Washington.