Straw statement on announcement of new Lebanese Prime Minister – UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office press release/Non-UN document

STRAW STATEMENT ON ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW LEBANESE PRIME MINISTER (10/03/05)

Following the annoncement that Mr Karameh has been asked to form a new Lebanese Government, the Foreign Secretary said:

'Mr Karameh is in the process of forming his new administration. It is important that the Lebanese people have a government which is without foreign interference, and that acts on behalf of all Lebanese people. This new administration has a responsibility to ensure a proper investigation into the bomb attack of 14 February which killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 18 others, and to give full co-operation to the UN Commission of Enquiry. I repeat the call of the International Community that there must be full implementation of UNSCR 1559. That means taking steps to adopt an impartial electoral law, facilitate the conduct of free and fair elections according to the Lebanese constitution. And it means complete and rapid withdrawal of Syrian forces and intelligence.'