Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Lebanese counterpart following the terror attacks by the al-Nusra Front in Tripoli.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
I discussed the issue of Lebanese security and stability with the Prime Minister and Speaker for Parliament when I visited the country in December. I made clear that the UK will continue to support Lebanon’s efforts to achieve peace and stability. We have allocated almost £20m to strengthening Lebanon’s borders and have been providing the Lebanese Armed Forces with practical equipment and training since 2012.
Our Ambassador to Lebanon condemned the terror attacks by the al-Nusra Front in Tripoli. He has since discussed the incident with senior members of the Lebanese Government, including the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, and affirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Lebanon in the fight against terrorism.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Turkish counterpart regarding the reported relocation of Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to Turkey; and what steps he is taking to ensure that terrorist groups are not aided by a NATO member country.
Answered by David Lidington
We have had no discussions with the Turkish government regarding Khaled Meshaal's reported relocation to Turkey. We are aware of reports that Turkey maintains a dialogue with Hamas. We will, however, continue to call on Turkey and those in the region with influence over Hamas to press them to end armed violence and support reconciliation and peace talks with Israel.
We maintain a regular dialogue at all levels with the Turkish government on a range of terrorism threats. Turkey is a valued foreign policy and security partner to the UK.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the recent call by the Chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran for increased uranium enrichment.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We are aware of these statements. Under the Joint Plan of Action, which has been extended until the end of June 2015, Iran committed to significant restrictions on its nuclear programme, including not to enrich beyond 5%. These measures are aimed at addressing our proliferation concerns. We remain committed to negotiating a comprehensive agreement, under which Iran would need to agree to further restrictions on its programme.
Asked by: Guto Bebb (Independent - Aberconwy)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Palestinian Authority about the steps it can take to ensure the unhindered operation of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Officials from our Consulate-General in Jerusalem have had regular discussions with the Palestinian Authority (PA), in particular Prime Minister Hamdallah, about the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM). As a donor contributing to the establishment of the mechanism, we have been urging the PA to ensure the mechanism works effectively, in order to expedite reconstruction in Gaza. Our embassy in Tel Aviv also discusses the operation of the GRM regularly with the Israeli authorities.