Written question asked by Michael Ellis (Conservative) on Monday, 25 October 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 27 October 2010. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Monday, 1 November 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Peace Keeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his Iranian and Syrian counterparts on (a) the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and (b) weapons smuggling into Lebanon.

Answer: During my visit to Damascus in July, I made clear and firm representations to Foreign Minister Muallem in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We are strongly committed to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701: this is the best means of achieving stability in Lebanon. I also raised the issue of weapons smuggling in Lebanon and underlined concerns about reports of Syrian facilitation of arms to Hezbollah. My officials continue to raise these issues at the highest level during our regular dialogue with Syrian counterparts.We remain concerned that Iran is undermining regional peace and stability, including through weapons transfers. We call on Iran to play a constructive role in the region, including through restoring international confidence in its nuclear programme. We continue to make our views clear through interventions at the UN on UN Security Council Resolutions 1701 and 1559.

Secondary information