James Cleverly urges the Government to welcome the appointment of Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister of Lebanon and take the opportunity to ensure that that positive step improves our relationship with Israel, Lebanon and the countries in the eastern Mediterranean.
Mr James Cleverly (Braintree) (Con)
I invite the Foreign Secretary to welcome the appointment of Nawaf Salam and to comment on its implications for our relationship with Lebanon and Israel and for Iran’s influence in the region. What does he intend to do to ensure that that positive step improves our relationship with Israel, Lebanon and the countries in the eastern Mediterranean?
The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (Mr David Lammy)
I am very grateful for this opportunity to speak about Lebanon. The developments in Lebanon over the past few days could transform the region. The appointment of a new President and a new Prime Minister could provide Lebanon with the opportunity to see Hezbollah’s capability diminished, which the whole international community should grab hold of. As the right hon. Member knows from his time in office, the UK contribution to the Lebanese armed forces is important and one that the Lebanese treasure. We intend to continue with that and to go further over the coming months, which I know he will welcome.