Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Halfon Excerpts

Monday 4th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con)]

8. What recent assessment he has made of the security situation in the middle east and north Africa; and if he will make a statement.

[Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)]

16. What recent assessment he has made of the security situation in the middle east and north Africa; and if he will make a statement.

[The Minister for the Armed Forces (Nick Harvey)]

As the Foreign Secretary has said, demands for greater political, social and economic participation will continue in the middle east and north Africa. We assess that the security situation will remain fragile unless Governments in the region work to fulfil the aspirations of their people.

--- Later in debate ---

[Nick Harvey]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. The international community acted very speedily to deter the threat to civilian life in Libya. The sustaining of that effort in Libya is absolutely international in nature. It is essential to a successful outcome that all involved retain that cohesion and determination of purpose, and that all involved plan for what will follow, which was questioned a minute ago.

[Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that a Palestinian state with Hamas in part control is a major defence threat, not just to Israel but to the wider region? Does he also agree that there should be no recognition of a Palestinian state until Hamas recognises Israel’s right to exist, renounces violence and recognises existing treaties?

[Nick Harvey]

rose—