Letter from the Secretary of State for
Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
to the Chairman of the Committee
I am writing to inform the Foreign Affairs Committee
of recent developments in Government policy towards Hizballah.
The Government's overall objective with Hizballah
remains to encourage them to disarm, move away from violence and
play a constructive, democratic and peaceful role in Lebanese
politics, in line with a range of UN Security Council Resolutions.
As you are aware, consistent with our opposition
to international terrorism, we extended the proscription of Hizballah's
External Security Organisation to the entirety of its military
wing in July 2008, principally as a result of Hizballah's support
for terrorism in Iraq and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
However, in the light of more positive recent political developments
in Lebanon, including the formation of the National Unity Government
in which Hizballah are participating, we have reviewed our ban
on certain official contacts with Hizballah's political wing,
including MPs.
We believe that occasional and carefully considered
contacts with Hizballah's political wing will advance our overall
objectives. Contacts allow us to pass key messages to Hizballah.
Specifically we will convey to Hizballah the need to reject violence
in favour of a constructive role in the Lebanese Government, to
implement fully UNSCR 1701 and the Doha Agreement and to continue
to exercise restraint on the Israel/Lebanon Border. We will also
make clear our concerns about Hizballah's support for Shia insurgent
groups in Iraq, as well as for Palestinian rejectionist groups,
and our commitment to taking measures against such activity. There
may also be an opportunity to work with MPs together on issues
such as corruption and transparency issues, both of which are
a focus for Hizballah in the Lebanese Parliament.
The first occasion for an official encounter
with Hizballah was when our Ambassador in Beirut accompanied a
visiting delegation of Conservative MPs to a meeting with the
Lebanese Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee on 9 Janaury.
The Hizballah MP, Ali Amaar, participated. Following this initial
meeting, we will explore the opportunities for other appropriate
contacts.
In the run up to the 2009 elections in Lebanon
we will be continuing to support the Lebanese government and ensuring
that we keep our policy under review. Contacts with the political
wing should allow us greater insight into Hizballah's political
objectives, which in turn should lead to clearer policy making
for the Middle East as a whole. There is no question of any contacts
with Hizballah's military wing, which is proscribed by the Government.
We will keep the FAC and Parliament informed of developments.
I am copying this letter to other members of
the Foreign Affairs Committee.
3 March 2009
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