Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Dunne Excerpts

Tuesday 8th September 2020 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con)]

What steps the Government are taking to support the Lebanese people since the explosion in that country on 4 August 2020.

[Tim Farron (Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)]

What recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on restarting the resettlement of refugees from Lebanon.

[The Minister for the Middle East and North Africa (James Cleverly)]

Our thoughts remain with the people affected by the terrible events in Beirut. The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and I spoke with the Lebanese President, Prime Minister and ambassador respectively. We rapidly deployed UK medical, humanitarian, military and logistics experts to support Beirutis in their response to the blast. The UK is a long-standing friend of the Lebanese people, and we were pleased to commit £25 million to help the most vulnerable.

On refugee resettlement, the resumption of arrivals remains dependent on covid-19 developments internationally and in the UK. We are not in a position to resume arrivals in the short term.

[Philip Dunne [V]]

I thank the Minister for that answer and for the UK humanitarian response. The Lebanese people have suffered greatly from the consequences of civil war and then failed political institutions. What is the Minister doing to help bring about a stable political settlement, to allow the people of Lebanon to restore peace and security to their lives? Will he and the Foreign Secretary consider introducing Magnitsky-style sanctions in conjunction with other key members of the international community if any political leaders are found culpable?