I spoke with new Lebanese Foreign Minister Dr. Nassif Hitti on 28 January to discuss the pressing economic situation. The UK and other members of the International Support Group for Lebanon have urged the new government to move forward with reforms that are needed in order to halt the deteriorating economic situation, restore fiscal balance and financial stability and address long standing structural deficiencies in the Lebanese economy. We stand ready to support Lebanon but look to this government to demonstrate its commitment to reform.

Our Ambassador to Lebanon met Prime Minister Hassan Diab on 23 January to discuss the formation of the new Lebanese Government. I also spoke with new Lebanese Foreign Minister Dr. Nassif Hitti on 28 January. The formation of a new government in Lebanon is an important first step. The UK and other members of the International Support Group for Lebanon have consistently called for the urgent formation of an effective and capable government which reflects the aspirations of the Lebanese people, and stressed that the right of peaceful protest must continue to be respected. We stand ready to support Lebanon but look to this government to demonstrate its commitment to reform.

I spoke with former Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri on 9 December 2019 about the situation and with new Lebanese Foreign Minister Dr. Nassif Hitti on 28 January. Members of the International Support Group for Lebanon – including the UK – met in December 2019. The group reiterated its support to Lebanon and was unified in calling for the swift formation of a Government capable of meeting the aspirations expressed by Lebanese and capable of delivering the urgently required economic reform; it also reiterated that the right for peaceful protest must continue to be respected. The UK's Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa visited Lebanon on 12 December 2019 and met with senior Lebanese authorities, including President Aoun, to discuss the current situation.

In Lebanon, DFID is providing regular targeted cash transfers to help over 10,000 of the most vulnerable Syrian refugee families to meet their most basic survival needs. The UK also funds legal assistance, support and advice (e.g. birth/marriage registration, civil documentation) to 55,000 individuals to uphold rights, facilitate access to basic services and to better prepare refugees for their eventual return to Syria. DFID is also supporting provision of non-formal education for up 114,500 vulnerable children and providing child protection and gender-based violence services to 295,930 girls, boys and caregivers.

The UK strongly advocates for the rights and protection of refugees and is working with aid agencies to further reform the aid system to deliver more effective, smarter aid to the most vulnerable. The UK continues to play a leading role in mobilising the international community. On 12 – 14 March 2019, the UK attended the third Brussels Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region”, driving forward the legacy of our own London Conference held in 2016. The money pledged will save lives and enable the provision of life-saving supplies and resources to build the livelihoods of millions of internally displaced persons and refugees, and their host communities.

As the Prime Minister has said, Qasem Soleimani posed a threat to all our interests and was responsible for a pattern of disruptive, destabilising behaviour in the region.

I visited Lebanon on 7-9 October. During that visit I met key Lebanese leaders and the Lebanese Armed Forces. I discussed what the Government of Lebanon was doing to secure the Lebanese-Syrian border, including disrupting smuggling and trafficking, and the support which the UK is providing in this regard.

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It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

​We have called on the Lebanese Government to ensure that any operation or actions that impact on the homes of refugees are done in full accordance with Lebanese laws and international principals, after thorough consultation with those affected, relevant Non Governmental Organisations, and the UN, and only once appropriate alternative accommodation has been put in place for those affected. Following lobbying from the international donor community, including this Government, and after negotiations with the United Nations Refugee Agency, UNHCR, and refugee communities, the Government of Lebanon has agreed to postpone the demolition operation in Arsal to 1 July, to allow refugees more time to comply with the order, or find alternative accommodation.

We support refugees remaining in host countries in the region, and support host countries to accommodate them. As part of this, we are working in partnership with host countries to help them to expand job and education opportunities for refugees in a way that will enable them to better support themselves and give them skills for the future. We are also helping host countries to cope with the impact of refugees on local services.