asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Lebanon.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Lebanon Situation.
5.
The situation in the Lebanon continues to give cause for concern. The authority of the Government applies in only a small area and much of the territory of the state is occupied by foreign forces. Violence continues to flare up — two particularly horrifying instances recently were the car bomb attack on the US Embassy building in Beirut and the massacre of 13 villagers at Sohmor on 20 September by members of the South Lebanon Army.
Nevertheless a certain amount of slow and painstaking progress is being made towards improving the situation. The Government of Prime Minister Karame are continuing their efforts to reconcile the interests of the various communities in the Lebanon and to establish a new basis for the sharing of power. The Government are pursuing their aim of extending central authority beyond the immediate Beirut area to areas currently under the control of militias.
The occupation of South Lebanon by Israel, which began with the Israeli invasion in June 1982, continues and is causing a great deal of human suffering and economic disruption in the Lebanon. The new Israeli Prime Minister has said, however, that one of his Government's main objectives is the early return of Israeli forces from the Lebanon and has made it clear that there is no longer a necessary link between Israeli withdrawal and withdrawal of Syrian forces. This is a hopeful development but it would be foolish to under-estimate the obstacles which still lie ahead to achievement of a complete Israeli withdrawal.
Government policy on the Lebanon is closely co-ordinated with our partners in the Ten. We wish to see the achievement of an independent, sovereign country enjoying territorial integrity and will support efforts to that end. Israel should withdraw its forces from the Lebanon in accordance with the call of the Security Council. Other foreign forces whose presence is not authorised by the Government should also be withdrawn. Ireland continues to contribute in a practical way to the achievement of peace and normality in the Lebanon through participation in UNIFIL. UNIFIL's mandate was renewed for a further six months by the UN Security Council on 12 October.
Would the Minister specify what foreign forces, other than those from Israel, to which he refers, are present? Would he agree that the major intransigence in occupation at this stage — whatever about the historical position — is Syria who have given no indication that they are prepared to withdraw one inch from Lebanese territory?
Of course the difference between the Syrian forces and the Israeli forces is that the Syrian forces were invited in by the Government of Lebanon whereas the Israeli forces were not.
Are the Syrian forces there at present with the concurrence of the Lebanese Government?
Yes.
With respect, I would have thought there was some doubt about that.
I admit that the concurrence is not as firm as it might have been some time ago but the permission still remains.
I do not know what that means.