HC Deb 18 June 1979 vol 968 cc412-4W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many men in the United Nations force in the Lebanon have been killed or injured in the course of their duties since the operation began.

Mr. Hurd

Since operations began in March 1978, 12 members of the United Nations force in Lebanon have been killed and 90 injured in the course of their duties. A further 13 men have died and 19 have been injured in accidents.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the current total strength of the United Nations force in the Lebanon; if he will list the national origin and strengths of the main contingents; and whether the United Nations commander has requested any reinforcement of manpower or equipment.

Mr. Hurd

The strength and composition of the United Nations force in Lebanon on 8 June was as follows:

Infantry battalions
Fiji 656
Ireland 625
Nepal 643
Netherlands 800
Nigeria 776
Norway 653
Senegal 592
Headquarters company
Ireland 129
Engineer Company
France 115
Logistic Units
France 494
Norway 289
5,772

In addition to the above personnel, UNIFIL is assisted by 37 military observers of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in Palestine (UNTSO).

The United Nations commander has not recently requested manpower or equipment reinforcements.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal how far the United Nations force in the Lebanon has secured effective control of the territory south of the Litani River which is the subject of its mandate.

Mr. Hurd

The extent of UNIFIL's deployment in Lebanese territory which was occupied by Israel in March 1978 is illustrated in the map attached to the Secretary-General's report on UNIFIL dated 8 June 1979. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Lord Privy Seal what action is proposed by the Security Council to strengthen the United Nations force in the Lebanon against attack by Israeli forces or by the dissident faction of the Lebanese militia.

Mr. Hurd

There are no plans to strengthen the United Nations force militarily. In its resolution of 14 June extending UNIFIL's mandate for a further six months, the Security Council called upon Israel to cease its incursions into Lebanon and the assistance it continues to lend to irresponsible armed groups and called on all parties to refrain from activities inconsistent with the objectives of UNIFIL.