Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 13 July 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 July 2010. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Monday, 19 July 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Lebanon: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the security situation in South Lebanon, with particular reference to (a) recent attacks on United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon patrols in the region and (b) Israeli military activity along the Lebanese border.

Answer: The security situation in southern Lebanon remains calm but fragile. We remain extremely concerned by the recent attacks against UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers on 29 June, 3 July, and 4 July. The UK joined with other Security Council members in agreeing a press statement which condemned such attacks and made clear the need for UNIFIL to be afforded the freedom of movement and security necessary to fulfil its mandate. Prior to this period however, as the UN Secretary General makes clear in his latest report (13th) on UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701, the security situation has been relatively quiet. I represented my concerns to the Lebanese Government during my visit to the region on 13-14 June 2010 and we hope for no repeat of this incident in the future.We are aware of reports of Israeli military activity along the border with Lebanon as well as repeated violations of Lebanese airspace by Israeli overflights, which continue to occur. We call on both Israel and Lebanon to comply in full with UNSCR 1701 and to work to maintain the existing stability.

Secondary information