IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 706 

Congratulating the people of Lebanon on successfully conducting free, fair, 

and democratic parliamentary elections on June 7, 2009. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 31, 2009 

Mr. ISSA (for himself, Mr. RAHALL, Mr. BOUSTANY, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. 

CARNAHAN, Ms. KAPTUR, and Mr. DELAHUNT) submitted the following 

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Congratulating the people of Lebanon on successfully conducting free, fair, and democratic parliamentary elections 

on June 7, 2009. 

Whereas the parliamentary elections held in Lebanon on 

June 7, 2009, were observed by sanctioned international 

monitoring missions and determined to be free, fair, and 

to reflect the democratic will of the Lebanese people; 

Whereas several recommendations of the National Commission on Electoral Law were adopted to revise and reform 

the electoral system ahead of the June 2009 elections; 

Whereas the Ministry of Interior, Lebanese Armed Forces, 

and Internal Security Forces, through their respective 

roles of administering and supervising the parliamentary 

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•HRES 706 IH 

elections, demonstrated a strong commitment to professionalism and the integrity of the electoral process; 

Whereas the United States supports full implementation of 

all United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding 

Lebanon, including Resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701; 

Whereas unexploded ordinance and landmines remain a hazard, and the repair and restoration of Lebanese infrastructure remains a challenge for the Government of Lebanon; 

Whereas assistance by the United States can stimulate the 

Government of Lebanon to address broad national concerns about the fair distribution of government services, 

economic opportunities, and employment, which are essential for a peaceful and prosperous society; 

Whereas continued support for civil society and educational 

institutions would enhance Lebanon’s capacity for governance; 

Whereas the people of Lebanon have a rich and proud history, dating from ancient times to the present, and a 

democratic tradition for much of its modern history; 

Whereas Lebanon and the United States have enjoyed a history of friendship and cooperation which has been evidenced by the immigration of millions of Lebanese to the 

United States where they and their descendants have 

contributed greatly to the fabric of life in the United 

States; and 

Whereas an independent, democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Lebanon is in the national security interest of the 

United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

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•HRES 706 IH 

1 (1) congratulates the Republic of Lebanon for 

2 successfully conducting free, fair, transparent, and 

3 democratic parliamentary elections; 

4 (2) commends the people of Lebanon for dem5 onstrating their commitment to a free and fair elec6 toral process, furthermore recognizing their adoption 

7 of significant electoral reforms in the areas of cam8 paign finance, media regulations, accreditation, and 

9 transparency; 

10 (3) expresses support for United States eco11 nomic assistance to be used to stimulate and pro12 mote additional efforts by the Government of Leb13 anon to increase security, reduce poverty and unem14 ployment, and facilitate the fair distribution of gov15 ernment services and economic opportunity towards 

16 the goal of a peaceful, prosperous Lebanon; and 

17 (4) affirms that rather than a battleground for 

18 foreign confrontation or competition, Lebanon, as a 

19 fully sovereign and independent nation, at peace 

20 with its neighbors, is critical to the national security 

21 of the United States and a respected partner in the 

22 Middle East. 

Æ 

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