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[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 252 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

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;
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;
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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of United States and its 
        international assistance to the people of Lebanon in order to 
        build the capacity for Lebanon to provide services and security 
        for Lebanese citizens, particularly to curb the influence of 
        Hezbollah;
            (2) encourages continued coordination between the Secretary 
        of State, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 
        and humanitarian organizations to ensure refugees from the 
        conflict in Syria, including those in Lebanon, are supported in 
        ways as to mitigate any potentially destabilizing effects on 
        their host countries;
            (3) supports the establishment of secure, dignified, and 
        sustainable safe zones in Syria and in the surrounding region 
        in which Syrian nationals displaced from their homeland can 
        await firm settlement, such as repatriation or potential third-
        country resettlement;
            (4) 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, particularly through the global coalition to 
        defeat the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria 
        (ISIS);
            (5) supports the full implementation of United Nations 
        Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006); and
            (6) recognizes that it is in the interests of the United 
        States to support negotiations to end the conflict in Syria, 
        which would allow for the eventual return of the millions of 
        Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and other countries 
        around the world back to Syria.
                                 <all>
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