IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 252 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the challenges 

posed to long-term stability in Lebanon by the conflict in Syria and 

supporting the establishment of safe zones in Syria. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 6, 2017 

Mr. LAHOOD (for himself, Ms. KAPTUR, and Mr. ABRAHAM) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on 

the challenges posed to long-term stability in Lebanon 

by the conflict in Syria and supporting the establishment 

of safe zones in Syria. 

Whereas the security and stability of Lebanon, a pluralistic 

democracy in the Middle East, is in the interest of the 

United States and its allies in the region; 

Whereas over the past 10 years, the United States has provided robust assistance to Lebanon, including training 

and equipment for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF); 

Whereas the integrity and effectiveness of the LAF in its 

struggle against the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq 

and Syria (ISIS) and affiliates advances a vital United 

States national security interest; 


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•HRES 252 IH 

Whereas the conflict in Syria poses a significant threat to 

stability in Lebanon as a result of violent attacks against 

Lebanese citizens perpetrated by combatants active in 

Syria and a massive influx of refugees fleeing the conflict 

area; 

Whereas the people of Lebanon have shown great willingness 

in receiving more than 1,500,000 refugees from Syria, 

even as Lebanon struggles to accommodate a refugee 

population equal to one-quarter of its native population; 

Whereas Lebanon is hosting more refugees proportionally 

than any country in the world; 

Whereas the refugee crisis has further depressed the economy 

of Lebanon, which has a national debt of approximately 

140 percent of the gross domestic product and economic 

growth rates lower than potential; 

Whereas the LAF has been called into direct conflict with 

ISIS after attacks carried out in Lebanon; 

Whereas the unique political constitution of Lebanon hinges 

on the distinct demographic and social equilibrium of the 

country; 

Whereas the constitution of Lebanon is further undermined 

by undue foreign influence, particularly by the Islamic 

Republic of Iran through its terrorist proxy Hezbollah; 

Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 

(2006) calls for the disarmament of all armed groups in 

Lebanon and stresses the importance of full control over 

Lebanon by the Government of Lebanon; 

Whereas Hezbollah continues to violate Resolution 1701, including by replenishing its stock of rockets and missiles 

in South Lebanon; 


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•HRES 252 IH 

Whereas the prolongation of the conflict in Syria has the potential to upset the precarious social and political balance 

in Lebanon; 

Whereas ending the conflict in Syria is in the national security and humanitarian interests of the United States; 

Whereas 11,000,000 Syrians have fled their homes since the 

war there started in 2011, with 5,000,000 Syrian refugees in the region and a roughly equivalent number internally displaced persons in the country; and 

Whereas Syrians will continue to be displaced unless they are 

protected from the ongoing violence: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the importance of United States 

3 and its international assistance to the people of Leb4 anon in order to build the capacity for Lebanon to 

5 provide services and security for Lebanese citizens, 

6 particularly to curb the influence of Hezbollah; 

7 (2) encourages continued coordination between 

8 the Secretary of State, the United Nations High 

9 Commissioner for Refugees, and humanitarian orga10 nizations to ensure refugees from the conflict in 

11 Syria, including those in Lebanon, are supported in 

12 ways as to mitigate any potentially destabilizing ef13 fects on their host countries; 

14 (3) supports the establishment of secure, dig15 nified, and sustainable safe zones in Syria and in the 


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•HRES 252 IH 

1 surrounding region in which Syrian nationals dis2 placed from their homeland can await firm settle3 ment, such as repatriation or potential third-country 

4 resettlement; 

5 (4) recognizes the Lebanese Armed Forces 

6 (LAF) as the sole institution entrusted with the de7 fense of the sovereignty of Lebanon and supports 

8 strengthening United States partnerships with the 

9 LAF, particularly through the global coalition to de10 feat the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and 

11 Syria (ISIS); 

12 (5) supports the full implementation of United 

13 Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006); 

14 and 

15 (6) recognizes that it is in the interests of the 

16 United States to support negotiations to end the 

17 conflict in Syria, which would allow for the eventual 

18 return of the millions of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, 

19 Jordan, Turkey, and other countries around the 

20 world back to Syria. 

Æ 


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