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 his most recent assessment is of the ability of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon to carry out its peacekeeping duties in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Answer: The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) plays a vital and positive role in maintaining peace and security in southern Lebanon. However it faces a number of challenges, underlined by the recent attacks on 29 June, 3 July, and 4 July against its peacekeepers.The UK has joined with other (P5) Security Council members in agreeing a press statement which condemned such attacks and made clear the need for UNIFIL to be afforded freedom of movement and security necessary for it to fulfil its mandate.I also represented these 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.

Secondary information