§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and having played an active and constructive role in the search for an overall settlement in the Middle East, they will consider contributing to the multinational force in the Lebanon in response to the appeal of the President of Lebanon for an enlarged force to assist his country to proceed to reconstruction.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Belstead)Her Majesty's Government have received a formal request from the Lebanese Government for a British contribution to the multinational force. The request is being considered carefully. No decision has yet been taken.
The Government understand the role of an expanded multinational force to be to assist the Lebanese Government in the restoration of its authority throughout Lebanon. The ten members of the European Community, including Britain, are already committed to assisting the Lebanese Government in the separate task of reconstruction.