HC Deb 22 November 1993 vol 233 cc10-2W
Mr. Stephen

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy regarding arms exports to Lebanon.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Applications for the exports of arms to Lebanon are considered on their merits in the light of prevailing circumstances. During the Lebanese civil war it was not our practice to licence the export of lethal equipment to Lebanon. The Government would at present be prepared to consider, on a case-by-case basis, applications for the sale of arms to the Lebanese Government to help them re-establish their legitimate authority—provided that we were satisfied that the equipment supplied would not affect the regional military balance.