Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position on the current instability in Lebanon and the continuing presence of Syrian troops in that country. [10744/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The brutal murder of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri on 14 February has been the catalyst for significant ongoing developments in Lebanese politics. The massive public response has been remarkable. I welcome the fact that protests have been peaceful and that restraint has prevailed on all sides. It is to be hoped that this will continue to be the case, and we call on all Lebanese political leaders to unite in determination to ensure that violence has no place in Lebanese politics.

At the request of UN Secretary General Annan, Deputy Garda Commissioner Peter Fitzgerald has produced an important report into the circumstances of Mr. Hariri's murder, which the Secretary General has now forwarded to the Security Council for its consideration. The Government was pleased to be able to accede to the Secretary General's request to make Deputy Commissioner Fitzgerald available, and his speedy and professional report reflects credit upon him and Ireland.

Prime Minister Karami, who is acting in a caretaker capacity following his resignation in February, is attempting to form a government of national unity to lead the country into the elections which will probably take place in June. It is not clear yet whether he will be able to succeed in this effort.

While the presence of Syrian troops in Lebanon was instrumental in bringing the long civil war to an end, the withdrawal of those forces is long overdue, and their continued presence has itself become a cause of division in Lebanon. Ireland, in common with the whole international community, wishes to see the full and timely implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which calls for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon. Syria has given clear undertakings that its forces will be fully withdrawn by the end of this month. I look forward to the fulfilment by Syria of that commitment.