Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Monday, 20 November 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 November 2006. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Thursday, 23 November 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Middle East

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government has taken to implement UN Resolution 1701 and help secure the release of the kidnapped Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev.

Answer: UN Security Council Resolution 1701 is aimed at assisting the Government of Lebanon to exert full sovereignty and control over its territory. To this end, the UK has committed £2.5 million to provide the Government of Lebanon with security sector assistance to allow it to exercise full control of its territory. As part of this the UK is in the process of giving 50 Land Rovers to the Lebanese armed forces. We also called on the international community to take immediate steps to extend its financial and humanitarian assistance to the Lebanese people. We are also working closely with other international partners on co-ordinating security assistance. The UK has contributed £22.3 million in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance. We have offered the Government of Israel assistance in securing the release of the two Israeli soldiers. We continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Mrs. Goldwasser on 21 November.

Secondary information