§ Mr. Lathamasked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's ambassador in Israel was instructed to meet Israeli Government officials regarding the situation in Southern Lebanon at or about the same date as Her Majesty's ambassadors in Beirut and Damascus were having similar meetings with the Governments of Lebanon and Syria; and, if so, what was the outcome of those discussions.
§ Mr. HurdThe British ambassador in Israel was instructed to make known to the Israeli Government Her Majesty's Government's concern that the ceasefire in 345W South Lebanon should be maintained. Similar approaches were made at about the same time to the Governments of Syria and Lebanon. These discussions were confidential.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Lord Privy Seal, pursuant to his replies to the hon. Member for Melton of 22 February, Official Report, column 306, why, in view of the fact that both men control substantial numbers of armed men operating in Southern Lebanon, and the United Nations interim force has to deal with both, Her Majesty's ambassador contacted Yasser Arafat regarding tension in the Southern Lebanon, but not Major Haddad.
§ Mr. HurdThe Palestine Liberation Organisation enjoys widespread support among Palestinians, both in Lebanon and elsewhere. It is an organisation of undeniable significance whose views must be taken into account if a just and durable peace is to be achieved in the Middle East. We therefore consider it right that British officials should maintain occasional contact with Palestine Liberation Organisation representatives.
Major Haddad's forces only maintain their occupation of part of Southern Lebanon by virtue of the support of the Israeli Government, to whom we have also made known our concern about the situation in the area. We do not think it useful for British officials to have contact with Major Haddad or his representatives.