Pakistan along with other Muslim countries and UNSC members, is understood to have expressed its reservations in supporting the draft resolution circulated by United States and France in the UN Security Council on Wednesday, which calls upon Syria to withdraw its 20,000 forces from Lebanon, and stop interference in the internal affairs of Lebanon.
The draft resolution accuses Syria of trying to influence the political process of Lebanon, and for supporting re-election of the Lebanese president.
The matter came up under discussion in the behind closed door consultations of the UN Security Council held on Wednesday evening.
Besides Pakistan, it is learnt that Algeria, China, Russia and the Philippines have expressed reservations in the matter, fearing it could set a bad precedence.
Meanwhile, several Muslim ambassadors are stated to have expressed surprise that the Security Council was taking up the matter of a Muslim country once again. A Muslim envoy, who requested anonymity, confided that it was strange that somehow the matter of a Muslim country was being taken up by the UNSC, and cited the names of Sudan, Iraq, Lebanon or Syria.
It is understood that Pakistan's permanent r to representative to UN, Munir Akram, has pleaded that Pakistan does not and cannot approve the presence of foreign forces in other states without the consent of those states.
The draft text seems to raise several questions and problems which in Pakistan's view require a careful consideration., he said, adding it is nevertheless a fact that forces are stationed in many states, including in our region.
He said the fact of the matter is that in most cases, the forces are stationed with the consent of the government concerned, adding the Security Council perhaps has never been able to precisely know how that consent was obtained.
Meanwhile, in the case of Lebanon and Syria, it is learnt that both have sent letters to the UN, and what they have conveyed is relevant for the determination of the position of the Council.
THE LEBANESE GOVERNMENT CONVEYED FOUR POINTS AS FOLLOWS:
(a)The draft will interfere in the internal matters of Lebanon;
(b) The presence of Syrian troops in Lebanon is linked to the Taif Treaty and other bilateral treaties;
(c) Syria is not backing terrorist organisations in Lebanon;
(d) There are hidden political intentions behind the text.
LIKEWISE, THE GOVERNMENT OF SYRIA HAS CONVEYED SIX POINTS:
(e) Lebanon rejects raising this issue in the Security Council;
(f) The Council's consideration of the issue would contradict the paragraph 7 (2) of the Charter;
(g) The situation does not constitute threat to international peace and security;
(h)The Syrian-Lebanese relations are governed by the treaty of brotherhood, co-operation and co-ordination;
(i) No complaint has been sent to the United Nations by Syria or Lebanon; and
(j) Any discussion of the issue in the Security Council would set a dangerous precedence.
It is stated that Algeria has eloquently referred to the double standards ie there are foreign troops on the soil of Syria too.
The Security Council has called for withdrawal of these troops also. However, it has not set any deadline for the withdrawal. under the Agenda Item: 'Situation in the Middle East shouldn't we also include a call for the withdrawal of Israel from Golan.
The sovereignty should be equitable for every country for it is the question of principle and morality.
Secondly, the Lebanese Cabinet has met and signed the proposed amendments. The text contains language that calls for a fair and free elections according to the Lebanese constitution. If the Lebanese parliament approves the constitutional amendment would that not be constitutional?
How would then we implement the resolution? We must also consider the consequences of the resolution for the Lebanese stability. Could this resolution trigger the civil war? If the Council is unable to implement the resolution its credibility would be at stake.
These questions will need to be considered. It is further learnt that Pakistan Mission has referred the draft resolution to Islamabad, and it has hoped that vote would not be called before instructions were received.
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