§ 13. Mr. Waltersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards peace in the Middle East.
§ Mr. PymWe remain committed to the search for a comprehensive settlement on the basis of the Venice principles. President Reagan's proposals and the Fez declaration have created an important opportunity for progress towards peace. I do not underestimate the difficulties, but it is, in our view, vital that this opportunity should be taken with the minimum of delay. We are doing all that we can to help this process forward.
§ Mr. WaltersAs the Israeli tribunal has now established that the Israeli Minister of Defence is a war criminal, what can be done to reverse his destructive policies and bring about a speedy termination of the Israeli occupation of Lebanon and the freezing of illegal settlements on the West Bank?
§ Mr. PymIt is for the Israeli Government to consider the inquiry. With regard to the important subject of withdrawal of forces from the Lebanon, I entirely share my 993 hon. Friend's desire for the withdrawal of all forces. The United States Administration and their negotiator Mr. Habib, are doing all that they can to achieve that. It must be admitted that, thus far, progress has been slow. Mr. Habib has recently returned. We strongly hope that he will succeed this time in bringing about a withdrawal, which must be the essential precondition to establishing a free and independent Government in Lebanon.