Seiwyn Lloyd, Britain’s Foreign Secretary, told the House of Commons today that Britain does not recognize the United Arab Republic’s claim–rejected by Israel–that “a state of war” exists between the UAR and Israel.
Egypt has been persistently claiming that it is entitled to exercise so-called “rights of belligerence” due to the continued existence of the alleged “state of war.”
Leading members of the opposition Labor Party asked the Government in writing whether it recognizes the claims of “state of war” and whether the Tripartite Declaration of 1950, issued then by Britain, France and the United States, is still considered as being in effect. That Declaration guaranteed the borders of Israel and its neighboring Arab states.
In regard to the Declaration, Mr. Lloyd revealed that the three Western Powers discussed its effectiveness with the UAR since the Egyptian-Syrian union was formed. He said the powers “agreed that the Tripartite Declaration remained a valid declaration of policy.”
Britain, however, said Mr. Lloyd, cannot call upon the UAR to stop claiming the existence of a state of war with Israel because such a request would amount to admitting that a “state of war” does exist. He added that, in the British Government’s official view, such a situation “does not exist.”
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