§ 24. Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the middle east peace process. [125227]
§ 25. Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the situation in the middle east peace process. [125228]
§ Mr. HainThe Middle East Peace Process is at a crucial stage. On the Palestinian track, negotiations continue in the US. We continue to work for a conflict-ending agreement this summer.
On the Syrian track, we are watching developments closely following the death of President Asad. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary attended his funeral last week and met his son, Bashar. We believe Syria remains committed to the peace process and look forward to continuing Syrian and Israeli efforts to reach agreement.
We welcome UN confirmation that Israel has withdrawn fully from Lebanon. We shall continue to work hard with the UN and countries in the region to maintain calm and stability in southern Lebanon.
§ 32. Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received about the middle east peace process. [125237]
§ Mr. HainWe are in frequent contact with all the parties. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met a number of interlocutors, including Bashar al-Assad, at the condolence ceremony for the late President Assad on 13 June.