Syria gets breathing room
The Guardian is reporting that George W. Bush has spiked plans to go to war against Syria "and has blocked preliminary planning for such a campaign in the Pentagon..." This squares with information I heard that National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice also opposes a Syria campaign.

Meanwhile, Al-Jazeera, in its morning press review, cited an Al-Siyassa newspaper (not sure if they meant the Kuwaiti daily) to the effect that the Syrians were preparing plans for a full military withdrawal from Lebanon. I find the story doubtful as it is, even if I can imagine that the Syrians would be inclined to repatriate several thousand troops to defend against an American attack. However, Lebanon is about the only card the Syrians have left, and they won't abandon it so readily.