HC Deb 20 February 1985 vol 73 cc470-1W
35. Mr. Mikardo

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, when he next meets his Syrian counterpart, he will seek to ascertain when that country's forces will leave the Lebanon.

74. Mr. Cunliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the Syrian Government about their continued presence in the Lebanon; and if he will seek an assurance that they will leave the Lebanon in the same manner as Israeli forces.

Mr. Luce

We keep in touch with the Syrian Government about regional issues, including Lebanon. We have consistently called for the withdrawal from Lebanon of all foreign forces whose presence is not authorised by the Lebanese Government. I understand that the Lebanese Government of national unity have not called for the departure of Syrian forces from Lebanon.

41. Mr. Andrew MacKay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Lebanon, following the recent Israeli withdrawal.

Mr. Luce

We welcome Israel's withdrawal from the Sidon area, and look forward to the early, complete and orderly withdrawal of all Israeli forces to the international border. We have repeatedly emphasised to all parties the need for agreed and effective security arrangements in areas to be vacated by Israeli forces with full consideration for the safety of civilians, and to ensure the full restoration of Lebanese Government authority throughout the area in question.

50. Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received any request either from the Lebanese Government or from the United Nations for either a British troop deployment or British logistical support for a United Nations international force in the Lebanon.

Mr. Luce

We have received no request for a British troop contribution to UNIFIL or any other United Nations force in Lebanon. We have provided logistic support to UNIFIL since its establishment in 1978.