Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the aims and objectives are of UK policy towards Lebanon. [81914]

Alistair Burt MP; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State : The UK's policy towards Lebanon reflects the FCO's priorities of Safeguarding Britain's national security; building Britain's prosperity and supporting British nationals around the world.

Working to reduce conflict, the UK's aim is to support a stable, independent and sovereign Lebanon. To this end we have increased our assistance to the Lebanese army and police, as key institutions supporting Lebanese stability.

The UK continues to believe the best way to achieve peace and stability in Lebanon and the wider region is through the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701, including respect of Lebanese sovereignty by other countries in the region. The UK also fully supports the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in its work to end impunity for political assassinations in Lebanon. It is important Lebanon fulfils its obligations to the Tribunal by paying its portion of the approved budget as the Prime Minister emphasised during his meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati on 7 November.

Lebanon remains a business hub for the region and a strong consumer economy, with UK exports at £398.7 million for 2010, on a par with those to Kuwait, and significantly higher than Jordan. We continue to explore the potential for UK companies to play a greater role in Lebanon's ambitious plans to boost their infrastructure sector.

We continue to ensure that embassy has plans to support for British nationals in Lebanon in place, these plans are well exercised and has the confidence of British citizens in Lebanon as well as Ministers in the UK.