Written question asked by Keith Simpson (Conservative) on Monday, 23 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 October 2006. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 November 2006 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Middle East

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 2 October 2006, Official Report, column 2572W, to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew), on the Middle East, what the UK role is in leading an interim cell in Lebanon to coordinate support to the Lebanese armed forces and security sector reform; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: [holding answer 26 October 2006]: A UK team visited Paris, Rome, Brussels, Beirut, Washington and New York to determine how best to take Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Lebanon forward, and to identify a framework for international support. In the short term, the British embassy in Beirut is providing a co-ordination role for offers of assistance to the Government of Lebanon, in conjunction with other embassies. We are currently working with the EU and wider international community to establish the right approach for longer term SSR in Lebanon.

Secondary information