Date of release : 25-04-2005

Policy area : General Affairs and External Relations

Event : General Affairs and External Relations Council

Following the "General Affairs and External Relations" Council on Monday 25 April 2005, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and President in office of the EU Council, Jean Asselborn, spoke on the subject of Lebanon:

"The latest developments in Lebanon seem to me to be very encouraging. It seems that all Syrian troops are being withdrawn, even before the deadline set by the United Nations. The withdrawal of the intelligence services also seems to have begun. We are awaiting with interest the report by the UN General Secretary, to be presented to the Security Council tomorrow. We continue to give our full support to the mission of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Roed-Larsen, responsible for implementing Resolution 1559.

The designation of a new Prime Minister, Najib Miqati, and the forming of the new cabinet last Tuesday, have put an end to the political impasse that has paralysed Lebanon for two months. According to the latest information received from Beirut, it now appears that the Parliamentary elections will take place within the deadline.

Our primary objective remains the holding of free and fair elections, to which the new government is committed, as soon as possible. The European Union is still prepared to send an electoral observation mission if the Lebanese government so wishes."