Vol. 412 No. 3
113 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the Government's attitude to the presence of Syrian authority in Lebanon; if this issue has been discussed at EC Council of Ministers level; if so, if he will outline the position taken by the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Irish Government and the other Governments in the European Community have consistently supported the Taif Accords, which were adopted by the Lebanese Parliament in October 1989. The Accords included two security plans, one for the disbandment of all militias within six months and the other providing for assistance to the Lebanese Government by the Syrian Army for up to two years.
The timescale has proved slower than that envisaged by the Taif Accords and even the first of the two security plans is not yet complete since not all militias have been disbanded. However, there has been real progress. The Lebanese Government, which is broadly based, has established greater authority for itself and there is more stability in the country than at any time in the last 15 years. Central Government control has been extended over much of the country and the Defence Minister estimates that the army recovered 80 per cent of their weapons from the militias.
The European Community has declared its strong support for the Taif Accords, which it believes will bring about the full restoration of the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of a Lebanon free of all foreign troops.
Lebanon and Syria concluded a defence and security agreement on 1 September, which provides for security and military co-operation between the two countries.
I am conscious that both Syrian and Israeli troops continue to be present in Lebanon but the Taif Accords have provided a framework for restoring greater stability to Lebanon and I believe can in time help to bring about a Lebanon free of all foreign troops.
