Crispin Blunt

Conservative Party | Reigate

PRIME MINISTER OF LEBANON CALLS FOR FULL ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL

CRISPIN BLUNT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

On the first full day of a visit to Lebanon, Crispin Blunt today met with the Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, before going to Southern Beirut to see the bomb damage inflicted by Israel in the recent war.

Crispin Blunt is leading a delegation of Conservatives MPs on a visit to the Middle East, taking in visits to Oman, Syria and Lebanon.

The Lebanese Prime Minister made clear to the visiting MPs that full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon was essential.  He stated that as long as there are Israeli troops in occupation of Lebanese territory, it will be impossible to get the armed militia of Hezbollah to disarm.  This point was reinforced in meetings with Lebanese MPs from across the political spectrum including elected representatives of Hezbollah.  Tomorrow the MPs will visit the battle fields in the South of the country and Palestinian refugee camps administered by the United Nations.  They have scheduled a meeting with President Lahoud on Thursday.

Speaking in Beirut, Crispin Blunt commented: “It is clear that the United Kingdom’s reputation in the Middle East has taken further serious damage following Tony Blair’s failure to call for a cease fire in the recent conflict in Lebanon.  In contrast, David Cameron’s first major speech on foreign policy, delivered two weeks ago on the 5th anniversary of 9/11, has been warmly received. David Cameron’s approach promises a marked shift in the direction of British foreign policy.  This has been noted and warmly welcomed by key decision makers in Oman, Syria and now in Lebanon.  These politicians understand the underlying importance of this change as they expect David Cameron to be the British Prime Minister the after the next election.”

Crispin Blunt added: “We have come here to listen, learn and engage.  I do not share the Government view that some political parties, or even whole countries, should be isolated.  We need to understand the perspective from the Middle East, not least their impression of Western and British double standards in policies towards the Arab states and Israel.  The key to peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors can only come from dialogue, and I hope that visits like this will, in a small way, contribute to that.”

Crispin Blunt is the chairman of the Conservative Middle East Council, whose objective is to improve Conservative MPs understanding of the issues in the Middle East and to help build reactions between Britain and the region.