Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal for Lebanon to become a permanently neutral state, as advocated by the Rt Rev Bechara Boutros Al-Rai.

It is for Lebanon to decide on its foreign and security policy. We continue to urge the Government of Lebanon to fully implement its policy of disassociation from regional conflicts, and abide by the provisions of all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, including 1559 and 1701. The Minister for Middle East and North Africa stressed this point again to key Lebanese politicians during his virtual visit to Lebanon on 23 July.