Mr. Speaker, the situation is obviously very complicated in that part of the world at this time. As the hon. parliamentary secretary said, Canada belongs to a group of countries ensuring a military presence in the area and we have agreed not to withdraw without first consulting with our partners. The French have indicated that they were contemplating pulling out, but if and when they do, it will not be unilaterally, since they have asked us not to withdraw our forces unilaterally.
As far as we are concerned, any suggestion from the UN secretary-general deserves to be considered because peacekeepers are under UN command.
So, consultations are under way with the secretary-general, and we will inform the House of any new development.