Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Ian Taylor (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 1 November 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Rafiq Hariri

Question: The Foreign Secretary must regret many of the meetings that he has had with leaders in certain countries around the world. The Foreign Secretary must surely draw the conclusion that Syria is continuing its reputation for undermining neighbouring countries. What is actually happening between Syria and Iraq? What Syrian insurgency is going on in Iraq? What was the full meaning of the American military operation that took place two days ago on the western border of Iraq, which appears to have been a message to the Syrians?

Answer: On the latter point, I shall have to write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy in the Library, because I do not have full details. On the involvement of Syria in interference in neighbouring countries, the Quartet issued a strong statement last Friday calling on Syria to stop allowing Islamic Jihad and other rejectionist terrorist groups to operate from within Syria. Syria has been denying that that is the case for some years, but everybody in the region knows that it is. The patience of the international community is running out in that respect. As to Syria's involvement in terrorism in Iraq, we have sent strong, clear messages to the Government of Syria that they must secure their borders and must, for example, introduce a visa regime to Damascus airport so that those who travel by air, if you please, in order to become insurgents or, worse, suicide bombers can be stopped. The Syrian Government said two days ago, at long last, that they intend to introduce such a visa regime. If that is so, it is progress, but only small progress. What Syria must now understand, in the face of unanimous condemnation by the international community, is that its old ways, under both father and son, have to change, and to change both in terms of Syria's own peace and security and for the future of its people.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 438 c717
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Foreign relations Syria Hariri, Rafik Inquiries Prime ministers UN resolutions Lebanon Assassination
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk