The Australian Government Fully Supports UNSCR 1559
Date: Sat, 2 Oct 2004 21:25:06 +1000
After much determined work and lobbying by The Australian Lebanese Sovereignty Board (Al Tiyyar Al Siyadi) under the auspices of the WLCU (World Lebanese Cultural Union), The Australian Goverment has offered full support for UNSCR 1559. In a letter sent to The ALSB and delivered by MP Ross Cameron at a community event held in Sydney on the 29th October in Support of UNSCR1559. Mr Downer writes " I applaud the recent passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1559", and "It is a matter of principle that the Government fully supports the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon".
We applaud the efforts of the Australian Lebanese Sovereignty Board in securing the full support of the Australian Government in the demand that Lebanon be sovereign and indepedent.

UALM
Letter from Mr Downer:
THE HON ALEXANDER DOWNER MP MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PARLIAMENT HOUSE CANBERRA ACT 2600
MESSAGE TO THE AUSTRALIAN LEBANESE SOVEREIGNTY BOARD
The Australian Government shares the commitment of Lebanese Australians to supporting Lebanon's sovereignty, independence and national unity.It is matter of principle that the Government fully supports the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon.
I applaud the recent passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1559.The Australian Government shares the resolution's declared support for free and fair elections in Lebanon, without foreign interference.Australia joins other friends of Lebanon to urge respect for the Constitution and Lebanon's sovereign independence.
Australia's principled support for UNSCR 1559 continues our long-standing commitment w the sovereignty and territorial imegriiy of Lebanon.Australia welcomed implementation of UNSCR 425, which explicitly called for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon.We continue to support the full implementation of UNSCR 520 noting `Lebanon's determination to ensure the withdrawal of a11 non-Lebanese forces from Lebanon'.
I welcome the withdrawal of some Syrian troops from Lebanon over the last two years, but I urge further action to implement a full withdrawal in line with the wishes of the international community as expressed in UN Security Council resolutions.
Australia's Lebanese community has given strong and welcome support for our country's relationship with Lebanon.Your contribution to Australia's economic and social growth and your commitment to a peaceful, dynamic, free and democratic Lebanon is greatly appreciated by the Government.I wish you every success in your future efforts.
Alexander Downer