HC Deb 24 November 1999 vol 339 cc151-2W
Mr. Nigel Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in Sierra Leone. [98742]

Mr. Hain

The overall security situation in Sierra Leone remains volatile. We remain concerned over the violations of the Lomé Peace Agreement and the ceasefire, and the consequent humanitarian impact on the people of Sierra Leone.

We call on all parties to implement the Lomé Peace Agreement immediately and in full. The parties must now live up to their commitment to lay down their arms and enter the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration camps. This is vital if all people in Sierra Leone are at last to live in peace and security.

We are working closely with the United Nations to ensure the early deployment of a robust United Nations peacekeeping operation. This will help create a climate of confidence for the parties to implement the Lomé Peace Agreement.

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