HC Deb 28 June 1994 vol 245 c517W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances the Israeli Government have given him about their intentions for South Lebanon and on the time scale and diplomatic procedures for the fulfilment of those intentions.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has received assurances from Prime Minister Rabin that Israel recognises its international border with Lebanon and has no territorial claim on Lebanese territory.

On 18 April, in a speech to the Knesset, Prime Minister Rabin proposed that, "In the first phase, the Lebanese army be deployed up to the Northern border of the security zone. For six months, it must prove its ability to maintain total calm and to disarm Hizbullah in Southern Lebanon If this is proven and total quiet reigns on the Northern border of the security zone, we will begin peace negotiations that I hope will last three months. We will be prepared to withdraw to the International border between Lebanon and Israel on three conditions: Full peace and normalisation; appropriate security arrangements; and, of course, our commitments to the Southern Lebanese Army and the residents of Southern Lebanon, the integration of the South Lebanese Army within the Lebanese army and a guarantee to residents of Southern Lebanon that they will not be harmed."

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Israel gave undertakings to withdraw from South Lebanon before he lifted the arms embargo on Israel.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Prime Minister Rabin has given my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs assurances that Israel recognises its international border with Lebanon and has no territorial claim on Lebanese territory.