Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 October 2006. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Friday, 20 October 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Lebanon

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what capacity she expects UK forces to serve as part of a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Lebanon.

Answer: The UK provided HMS York to the UN-sponsored interim maritime task force in early September. This task force is due to be replaced by a follow-on force, under United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) command, on or around 15 October. We have also offered to provide support in other areas, including the use of our Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus, and provision of a naval logistician to assist the UN. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK pays a premium contribution to the costs of UN operations. This year our contribution is expected to be approximately £16 million.

Secondary information