IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 348

Congratulating the people of Lebanon on successfully conducting democratic 

parliamentary elections in May and June 2005. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 30, 2005

Mr. ISSA (for himself, Mr. RAHALL, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. DINGELL, and Mr. 

BOUSTANY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on International Relations 

RESOLUTION

Congratulating the people of Lebanon on successfully conducting democratic parliamentary elections in May and 

June 2005.

Whereas parliamentary elections were held in Lebanon on 

May 29, June 5, June 12, and June 19, 2005, for the 

first time without the presence of foreign forces since the 

pre-civil war Parliament was elected in 1972; 

Whereas Lebanon is a signatory to the Universal Declaration 

of Human Rights and the Lebanese exercised their rights 

under the Declaration to assemble peacefully and participate in the government of the country by freely choosing 

their representatives as guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21 

of the Declaration; 
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•HRES 348 IH 

Whereas Lebanon has a vibrant democratic tradition that 

dates back to Lebanon’s independence from France in 

1943; 

Whereas Lebanon’s democratic tradition can serve as an inspiration as the desire for democratic reform, free elections, and representative government takes hold in other 

countries; 

Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559 

(2004) underscored the importance of a free and fair 

electoral process in Lebanon; and 

Whereas, while sectarian sentiments emerged during the parliamentary elections in Lebanon, there is a recognition on 

the part of the Lebanese that sovereignty, independence, 

and political tolerance can be achieved when loyalty to 

Lebanon’s national interest becomes the driving force in 

the formulation of Lebanon’s national policies: Now, 

therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) congratulates the people of Lebanon for 

3 their determination to peacefully demonstrate and 

4 assemble, conduct parliamentary elections in May 

5 and June 2005, and exercise their right to vote in 

6 the face of the political assassination of former 

7 Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, bombings, and intimi8 dation; 

9 (2) urges the new 128-member parliamentary 

10 assembly in Lebanon to take steps to heal sectarian 

11 divisions and fulfill the Government of Lebanon’s 
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•HRES 348 IH 

1 obligation to the international community to imple2 ment the provisions of United Nations Security 

3 Council Resolution 1559 (2004) that call for the dis4 banding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non5 Lebanese militias and extending government control 

6 over all Lebanese territory; 

7 (3) recognizes that peaceful change of power 

8 and the process of democratization in Lebanon 

9 should be recognized as an important step toward 

10 the advancement of democracy in the Middle East; 

11 (4) continues to support vigorous involvement 

12 by members of the international community to facili13 tate investigations into the terrorist attacks in Leb14 anon and efforts to bring the perpetrators of assas15 sinations and bombings to justice; and 

16 (5) expresses support for increasing measures 

17 and programs designed to reduce poverty, provide 

18 for better living conditions, increase security, and 

19 support the development of democracy in Lebanon.

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