Meanwhile, President Emile Lahoud began consultations with parliament on naming a new prime minister to replace Omar Karami, who resigned Feb. 28 following a massive demonstration demanding his ouster, as well as that of the Syrian military.

A huge demonstration is also scheduled to take place in the Syrian capital, Damascus, to show support for that country's embattled president, Bashar Assad, whose government is under intense pressure from Lebanese opposition groups and the United States to stop interfering in Lebanon's affairs.

The protest follows Tuesday's mass pro-Syrian rally in Beirut organized by the Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim group Hezbollah, which attracted an estimated 500,000 anti-U.S, chanting protesters and proved the militant group will be a force to be reckoned with here if Syria leaves.

The demonstration dwarfed a series of anti-Syrian protests that have been staged in Beirut since the Feb. 14 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Many Lebanese have blamed his killing on Syria and Lebanon's pro Damascus government. Both have denied responsibility.

By Wednesday morning, a number of Syrian positions in central and northern Lebanon stood empty after late-night withdrawals. Outside Batroun, about 30 miles north of Beirut, the Syrian soldiers had evacuated four posts, one of which was then taken over by the Lebanese army, witnesses said.