HL Deb 27 June 1989 vol 509 cc578-80

2.46 p.m.

Lord Eden of Winton asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the light of recent initiatives by the Arab League in respect of Lebanon, they have had any further discussions with their European Community partners with a view to assisting the resolution of the problems of Lebanon by the people of Lebanon.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the urgent need for a solution to Lebanon's crisis is reguarly discussed at meetings of the Twelve. We and our European partners fully support the efforts of the Committee of Three set up by the Arab League Summit in Casablanca, as was made clear in the statement issued by Foreign Ministers of the Twelve on 12th June.

Lord Eden of Winton

My Lords, would my noble friend agree that the Arab League initiative would be even more welcome if the proposed cease-fire were being strictly enforced? Are the Government aware that Syria, aided by Iranian extremists, is bombarding and blockading the ports so as to deprive the people of their route of essential supplies? Is it not now clear, as it surely must be, that the position of Lebanon is that of a cockpit being used to perpetuate conflicts among countries of the Middle East, and that the only prospect of a durable solution to restore independence to the Lebanon must be through the appointment of an international arbiter under the auspices of either the European Community or the United Nations?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, of course I am aware of the worries about the cease-fire being broken. However, I believe that my noble friend should have more faith and hope that the Committee of Three will produce a solution. The fact that it has produced a staged plan is encouraging and it certainly has our support. It is a high-level plan involving two kings and one president, and a great deal of serious effort is being made to meet my noble friend's concerns.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, does the Minister agree that with every day that passes without a solution hundreds of ordinary Lebanese people are slain or maimed; the whole country is being further destroyed, particularly Beirut; and that the lives of the British nationals and others who are prisoners there are more endangered on each clay that no action is taken to back up the resolution, making it a reality and bringing peace to the area?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, we are too well aware of the tragedies referred to by the noble Lord. For that reason it is important that the work being carried out by the Committee of Three should be given a fair chance. Indeed, already there are signs of progress. At a meeting today in Oran in Morocco, no doubt the heads of state of the Committee of Three will discuss the outcome of the first round of their Foreign Ministers' contacts. We should give it every wish for good speed.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether the Arab League has been able to deploy a monitoring force in Beirut following the cease-fire? Can he confirm that the Government have now determined that it is the Iranian Government who decide whether hostages shall be kept in captivity or let loose in Beirut? If that is the case, as seems likely, what representations can Her Majesty's Government make to see that the hostages are set free?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I am afraid that I do not have with me any facts about a monitoring force. As regards hostages, we continue to seek information on their safety and whereabouts. Our ambassador in Beirut was recently following up reports which had been received. We keep in regular contact with the Americans and with other countries whose nationals are held hostage. Their future is extremely difficult to predict; but we do our very best.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, is there not now a general view that Mr. Rafsanjani is rather more liberal and less radical in outlook than was the Ayatollah Khomeini and that there is a better prospect of obtaining the release of Mr. Terry Waite and the other hostages than there has been for many months?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I understand that point of view. However, I do not believe that it is helpful to speculate. We continue to call on those holding hostages and those who may have influence on them to release those hostages now on humanitarian grounds.

The Earl of Halsbury

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that if one consults the article in the Encyclopaedia Britannica on the Lebanon, they were at it more than 100 years ago?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the sooner it is brought to a conclusion the better.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that there is widespread agreement that the European Community is right to give whatever help it can to the Arab League initiative, especially to its very able chief negotiator Mr. Lakhadar Ibrahimi? Does he agree that success depends not only on the withdrawal of the intervention of Syria and Iran but also of the Government of Israel?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, yes, I broadly agree with the noble Lord.

Lord Eden of Winton

My Lords, my noble friend asked me to have faith. How is it possible to have faith in the Arab League initiative, the principal plank of which was the proposal for a ceasefire, when the ceasefire requirement is not being enforced on the Syrians?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, of course it is important to ensure that the ceasefire is upheld. The fact that it is not upheld goes to show my noble friend the very real difficulties that this sort of matter involves. That is why we have faith in the Committee of Three and why, as I said in answer to an earlier supplementary question, the meeting of the heads of state in Oran today may bear some fruit.