HC Deb 30 June 1982 vol 26 cc334-5W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose in the Security Council that the United Nations interim force in Lebanon should be authorised to help with civilian relief in those areas of Southern Lebanon where fighting has ceased.

Mr. Hurd

The United Nations Secretary-General has already instructed UNIFIL to extend its protection and humanitarian assistance, to the extent possible in the circumstances, to the civilian population in Southern Lebanon.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest information about casualties in the United Nations interim force in Lebanon during the fighting in the Lebanon.

Mr. Hurd

According to the Secretary-General's reports to the Security Council, one member of the Norwegian battalion of UNIFIL was killed during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial, logistic or other support the United Kingdom has provided for the United Nations interim force in Lebanon since its creation in 1978.

Mr. Hurd

The United Kingdom provides both financial and logistic support to UNIFIL. The logistic support is provided on a repayment basis, being offset against the United Kingdom's assessed share of the cost of the force. The amount paid by the United Kingdom in respect of UNIFIL since 1978 was as follows:

Year £
1978–79 3,756,197
1979–80 2,751,091
1980–81 2,959,985
1981–82 4,604,007

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place within the Council of Ministers on means of strengthening the United Nations interim force in Lebanon.

Mr. Hurd

The future of peacekeeping in Lebanon was discussed in general terms at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 21 June and at the European council in Brussels on 28–29 June, a strengthened UNIFIL is one option. But decisions on the nature and role of a peacekeeping force must await the outcome of current negotiations.

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