Written question asked by Lord Hague of Richmond (Conservative) on Wednesday, 19 July 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 July 2006. It was answered by Baroness Beckett (Labour) on Monday, 4 September 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Lebanon

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the most recent assessment prior to 12 July was of (a) the size and active strength of the Hezbollah militia and (b) progress towards its disarmament.

Answer: Prior to 12 July, the Ministry of Defence assessed that Hezbollah’s military wing comprised some 1,000 full time personnel, augmented by reservists in times of crisis, and possessed as many as 13,000 rockets.In his April 2006 report, the Special Representative to the UN Secretary-General noted that"““the provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) calling for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory, and strict respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the Government have not yet been fully implemented””."

Secondary information