MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

2.3.2005

to wind up the debate on statements by the Council and Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Pasqualina Napoletano and Véronique De Keyser
on behalf of the PSE Group
on Lebanon

B6‑0149/2005

European Parliament resolution on Lebanon

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its resolution of 16 January 2003 on the conclusion of an Association Agreement with the Republic of Lebanon,

–  having regard to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 of 2 September 2004,

–  having regard to the conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 21 February 2005,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  condemning the despicable attack in Beirut on 14 February 2005, which claimed the lives of the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, and of 19 other innocent civilians,

B.  welcoming the reaction of the Lebanese people in unanimously rising above their religious factions and calling for the country to be returned to full sovereignty and for Syrian troops to be withdrawn,

C.  whereas the entire Lebanese opposition has called for an international inquiry into the circumstances of Mr Hariri’s assassination; whereas numerous countries and organisations have made the same demand,

D.  whereas the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has decided to send a commission of inquiry to look into ‘the circumstances, causes and effects’ of the death of the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri,

E.  noting that parliamentary elections in Lebanon are scheduled to take place in May 2005,

1.  Strongly condemns the bomb attack which claimed the lives of the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, and of 19 other innocent civilians; expresses its most profound indignation at this barbaric act and offers its deepest condolences to the families of Mr Hariri and of the other victims;

2.  Hopes that, in accordance with the statement made by the President of the United Nations Security Council on 15 February, the causes, circumstances and consequences of this attack will be investigated from every angle; calls on the Lebanese authorities to cooperate fully with the UN’s commission of inquiry;

3.  Welcomes the scale of popular demonstrations in recent days and the fact that they show a strong degree of national unity among the different political and religious strands in the country;

4.  Calls on the Lebanese Government which emerges from the current crisis to ensure that democratic and transparent legislative elections are held in the country; reiterates its call for consideration to be given to setting up a European Union observer mission to monitor the legislative elections in Lebanon;

5.  Stresses the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1559, which reaffirms the international community’s commitment to Lebanon’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, and calls for the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon in line with Security Council resolutions and the Taif Agreement; notes the first redeployment of Syrian troops which took place recently;

6.  Calls on Syria not to tolerate terrorism in any form, including support for the military wing of Hezbollah and other armed groups, to refrain from any interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs and to join the international community’s efforts to fight terrorism;

7.  Believes that the current stance of the Israeli and Palestinian governments could bring about real progress in the Middle-East situation and, consequently, calls on all sides to give their full support to action aimed at stopping terrorist attacks in the region; points out that a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace between the Israelis and Palestinians must encompass Lebanon and Syria and adhere to the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council;

8.  Considers it important, to that end, that a dialogue should be re-established between Syria and Israel with a view to ensuring peace and security for these two countries and guaranteeing their sovereignty and integrity;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, the governments and parliaments of Lebanon and Syria, the parliaments of the EMPA and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.