directly concerned.
I shall be accompanying HM The Queen on her visit to
Jordan at the end of the month. This should provide a good opportunity to
hear at first hand the views of one of our closest friends in the region.
With regard to The Queen's safety, I can assure the House that the two
Governments have been working closely together to take every reasonable
precaution.
36. The problems of Lebanon are clearly related to the wider Arab/Israel
dispute. A weak and divided Lebanon threatens the stability of its
neighbours. It carries the risk of dangerous confrontation between the
superpowers. That Lebanon should enjoy peace and independence is therefore
in the interests of the international community, and it goes without
saying, Lebanese people themselves. That is why we have played an active
role in Lebanon, through diplomacy and, until recently, through the
presence of our troops in Beirut [to be updated before the Debate]. Our
aims have not changed. But in the end it is the Lebanese parties and
factions themselves and only they who can restore peace to the country.
The Lausanne conference is an opportunity which must not be missed.
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