[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1077 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1077
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the continued
importance of the United States-Lebanon relationship.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 31, 2020
Mr. LaHood (for himself, Ms. Shalala, Mr. Stivers, and Mr. Graves of
Louisiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the continued
importance of the United States-Lebanon relationship.
Whereas the security, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of
Lebanon, a pluralistic democracy in the Middle East, is in the interest
of the United States and its allies in the region;
Whereas, for more than a decade, the United States has provided robust
assistance to Lebanon, including training and equipment for the Lebanese
Armed Forces (LAF), development assistance through the Economic Support
Fund (ESF), funding for schools and hospitals in Lebanon through the
American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Program, and funding for
the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI);
Whereas the integrity and independence of the LAF serves a United States
national security interest;
Whereas the LAF has been a critical stabilizing force in Lebanon with a
longstanding partnership with the United States military;
Whereas the United States has provided over $1,000,000,000 in foreign military
and security assistance to the LAF;
Whereas the LAF, as the primary institution entrusted with Lebanon's defense,
security, and sovereignty, is an important force to support the safety
and security of Lebanon;
Whereas international support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
(UNIFIL) remains necessary to counteract destabilizing forces in Lebanon
and help lower tensions at the Lebanon-Israel border;
Whereas UNIFIL has been effective in facilitating tripartite dialogues between
the Lebanese and Israeli military officials and in conducting numerous
border patrols in partnership with the LAF, to deescalate the
possibilities of ``unintended consequences leading to violent
conflict'';
Whereas United States support for American institutions in Lebanon through
programs such as ASHA, MEPI, and ESF assistance are vital for fostering
democratic ideals and principles throughout Lebanon;
Whereas Lebanon hosts an estimated 1,500,000 refugees, a population equal to
almost one-third of its native population and the highest refugee-per-
capita ratio in the world, despite challenges within its own social and
economic sectors;
Whereas Hezbollah alongside corrupt elites have taken advantage of the Lebanese
economy, government, and its citizens;
Whereas Iran seeks to eliminate Lebanon's sovereignty and its history as a
strong United States ally and democratic actor in the Middle East;
Whereas Hezbollah continues to harm the Lebanese people by violating United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), perpetuating undue
foreign influence from Iran, harming the distinct demographic and social
equilibrium of Lebanon, stoking sectarian violence, weakening the
Lebanese economy, and supporting corruption and violence within Lebanon;
Whereas corruption in the Lebanese public sector remains unchecked, despite
calls for efforts to combat corruption in all government and social
society sectors;
Whereas the harmful politicization of the independent judiciary in Lebanon is
untenable and is being met with strong disagreement by the Lebanese
people and international actors; and
Whereas respect for the rule of law and democratic principles of an independent
and free press, long supported in Lebanon, must persist at the highest
levels: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) notes that the United States provides assistance to the
people of Lebanon in order to support services and security for
Lebanese citizens, particularly to counter the growing
influence and negative impact of Hezbollah and other
destabilizing actors;
(2) encourages the Government of Lebanon to work actively
to combat corruption in government, execute structural reforms
and anticorruption measures, and work with international
financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and
World Bank to undertake necessary reforms in order to stabilize
the economy;
(3) calls on the Lebanese Government to secure the safety,
freedom of movement, and access for United Nations Interim
Force in Lebanon troops and mitigate any destabilizing effects
on Lebanon and while supporting robust enforcement of United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1701;
(4) supports the right of the people of Lebanon to engage
in peaceful demonstration and assembly to achieve
accountability in government, democratic political
representation, increased civil rights, and anticorruption
reforms;
(5) recognizes the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as the sole
institution entrusted with the defense of the sovereignty of
Lebanon and supports strengthening United States partnerships
with the LAF to prevent terrorist groups such as Hezbollah,
ISIS, and Al Qaeda from gaining influence in Lebanon; and
(6) recognizes the role of Lebanon and its institutions,
such as an independent judiciary, free press, and
multidenominational, representative government as historic
examples of democratic values in the Middle East and expresses
support for the continuation of democracy and democratic ideals
in Lebanon.
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