LONDON, May 9: Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Siniora on Tuesday urged Britain to help build up pressure on Israel to withdraw its troops from the occupied Shebaa Farms territory. Israel captured the small, mountainous territory between Lebanon, Syria and Israel in the 1967 war, and it is now claimed by Beirut with the backing of Damascus.

Mr Siniora also pressed his British counterpart Tony Blair for increased assistance in reforming the Lebanese economy.

Lebanon has been in political turmoil since the Feb 2005 murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri and the later withdrawal of Syrian troops after 29 years on Lebanese soil.

“I think I have heard very good, encouraging remarks from Mr Blair and readiness to extend the necessary support to Lebanon,” Mr Siniora said. “There is a great understanding of our situation.”

“He is expressing his appreciation of what it really means to help Lebanon to move ahead, approving first of all that Sheeba Farms is Lebanese and the importance of the withdrawal of the Israeli forces,” Mr Siniora said after talks with Mr Blair at the British leader’s Downing Street residence.

He asked Mr Blair “to exert the pressure on Israel so that the Israelis can withdraw from the Shebaa Farms”, and said he wanted the matter raised at the United Nations.

He said such moves could “really pave the way” towards Lebanese control of the territory.—AFP