France calls again for Syria pullout

PARIS, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- France reiterated Friday called on Syria to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1559 demanding the immediate withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.

Syrian deputy foreign minister Waleed Moallem said Thursday Syria will "speed up the pace of the withdrawal of its troops in agreement with the Lebanese government."

But French Foreign Ministry deputy spokeswoman Cecile Pozo Di Borgo said Friday said that's not good enough.

"France calls on Syria to implement U.N. resolution 1559 without any delay," she said.

Resolution 1559 calls for the withdrawal of Syria's estimated 15,000 troops in Lebanon and disbanding local and foreign militias -- particularly Hezbollah and armed Palestinian factions.