Written question asked by Lord Turnberg (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 October 2006.

Lebanon: Hezbollah Weapon Stocks

Question: What efforts they have made to persuade the Governments of Syria and Iran not to replenish the stock of missiles held by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Answer: The Government have repeatedly called on Syria and Iran not to supply arms to Hezbollah. During the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah we summoned both the Syrian and Iranian Ambassadors in London to raise our concerns with them about the supply of arms. The UK also worked hard with our international partners in securing the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for an embargo on all arms sale to Lebanon unless authorised by the Government of Lebanon or by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. The UK is now working with our international partners to implement Resolution 1701, in particular by strengthening the ability of the democratically elected Lebanese Government to exercise control throughout Lebanon and ensuring that militias, supported and supplied from outside Lebanon, can never again plunge the region into crisis.

Secondary information