EU Council conclusions on Syria and Lebanon – Meeting of the External Relations Council – EU press release/Non-UN document

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Council conclusions on Syria and Lebanon

2687th EXTERNAL RELATIONS Council meeting

Brussels, 7 November 2005

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The Council welcomes the unanimous adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1636, acknowledging the report of the UN International Investigation Commission under Mr. Detlev Mehlis. The report’s conclusions are very serious. The Council takes note with extreme concern of the report's conclusions that there is converging evidence pointing at the involvement of both Lebanese and Syrian officials in the assassination of Rafic Hariri.

2. The Council deplores the clear indication that Syria has not co-operated fully with the investigating team and calls upon Syria to co-operate unconditionally with the investigators as they continue their efforts to shed light on these appalling crimes and to bring about justice. The Council takes note of recent statements and steps made by Syria regarding its intention to co-operate with the UN Commission and expects all Syrian bodies to act fully in accordance with this intention.

3. The Council welcomes the Secretary-General’s report on UNSCR 1559. The report notes that considerable progress has been made towards the implementation of 1559, in particular through the efforts of the Government of Lebanon.

4. The Council underlines the importance it attaches to the full implementation of 1559, including disbanding and disarming of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, and strict respect of the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and political independence of Lebanon.  The Council underlines the importance of reinforcing the Lebanese Armed Forces. It notes the report’s conclusion that more needs to be done by the Government of Lebanon to extend its control over all Lebanese territory.

5. The Council further calls on Syria to take immediate action to promote regional stability, including by engaging and working with the legitimate and sovereign Government of Lebanon to take forward the co-operation identified by the Secretary General's report as necessary for the full implementation of 1559; and by ending support for groups that oppose the Middle East Peace Process and taking steps to require such groups with headquarters or representatives in Syria to abstain from the use of violence."

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