UK must suspend arms exports to Israel - Campbell

11.55.06pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 24th Jul 2006

Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, today wrote to the Prime Minister to ask him to suspend any further arms exports to Israel.

Sir Menzies said "In light of disproportionate military action by Israel in Lebanon and Gaza the UK Government must suspend any further arms exports to Israel.

"Over the last year and a half the UK Government has licensed the export of arms to Israel worth over £25 million, including components for naval light guns, military utility helicopters, aircraft radars and electronic warfare equipment.

"The Government is right to ensure there are no arms transfers, either direct or indirect, from the UK to Syria, Iran or illegal armed groups such as the military wing of Hezbollah.

"Kofi Annan has said attacks in Lebanon are inflicting collective punishment on the Lebanese people and the UN Emergency Relief Co-ordinator has described attacks on Beirut as a 'violation of humanitarian law'.

"The Government must now comply with its own arms export rules and institute an immediate suspension of all UK arms exports to Israel."