Statement on the situation in the Middle East

At 0500 GMT on 14th August the UN-brokered ceasefire came into force. The Prime Minister has called on all parties to show restraint during the ceasefire and pledged to work to end the impasse in Palestine. The Prime Minister will be visiting Israel and Palestine to focus attention on the need to move forward in Palestine.

The Prime Minister has stated, “With this resolution now adopted, we must work to address the underlying root causes of this conflict. In part, this will be about the ability of the democratically elected Lebanese Government to be in sole charge of the Lebanon. However, we must never lose sight of the fact that the conflict in Lebanon arose out of the desire to exploit the continuing impasse in Palestine.

“I have said before I believe this to be of fundamental importance not just to Israelis and Palestinians but to the whole of the region and the wider world. It is my intention to visit the region, in particular Israel and Palestine over the coming period and to consult those there and of course members of the Quartet on the best way forward.”

The Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister have been heavily engaged continually trying to resolve the crisis from the start. The Government’s focus has been on constructing the conditions to secure an urgent and durable ceasefire. A ceasefire that failed to address the underlying causes would only produce another crisis.

The resolution’s objectives are clear: to bring a full cessation of hostilities; to create the space for an urgent humanitarian effort; and to begin a process leading to a permanent ceasefire and a durable peace.

With hostilities hopefully at an end, one immediate priority is to address the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. The Prime Minister has been in touch with Lebanese Prime Minister Siniora about ways in which the UK can support the recovery effort. The United Kingdom is contributing £6.2 million to meet priority relief needs in Lebanon – most of this will be channelled through United Nations agencies, and we will support the Red Cross and a number of NGOs, whose role will be crucial.

I have no objection to a recall of parliament but would be more enthusiastic if this were a matter where a vote in the Commons would have an impact on the situation. I have always been in support of an urgent and sustainable ceasefire. I deplore the violence on both sides. I also believe that it is critical for future peace that Israel and the USA are not isolated, although I personally have great concerns about Israeli actions. Equally Hezbollah has hidden amongst civilians, wreaking havoc on Israel.