Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Thursday, 16 June 2011.

Lebanon

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the attack upon the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon mission in southern Lebanon; and what discussions they have had with the Governments of Italy and Lebanon regarding this.

Answer: The Lebanese authorities, in conjunction with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), are currently investigating the bomb attack on the UNIFIL convoy which left six Italian peacekeepers injured. Following the attack, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, my honourable friend Alistair Burt, issued a statement condemning the attack and expressing our thoughts to the victims and their families. Our ambassador in Lebanon has also raised the attack with the Lebanese Government. UNIFIL plays a vital and positive role in maintaining peace and security in southern Lebanon through its mandate in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and needs to be afforded freedom of movement and the security necessary for it to do so.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 9715; 728 c212WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Peacekeeping operations Violence Lebanon UN Interim Force in Lebanon
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk