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 pro-
vided 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, in-
cluding 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 po-
tential to upset the precarious social and political balance 
in Lebanon; 
Whereas ending the conflict in Syria is in the national secu-
rity 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 refu-
gees in the region and a roughly equivalent number inter-
nally 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 Leb-
anon 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 orga-
nizations to ensure refugees from the conflict in 
Syria, including those in Lebanon, are supported in 
ways as to mitigate any potentially destabilizing ef-
fects on their host countries; 
(3) supports the establishment of secure, dig-
nified, and sustainable safe zones in Syria and in the 
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•HRES 252 IH 
surrounding region in which Syrian nationals dis-
placed from their homeland can await firm settle-
ment, such as repatriation or potential third-country 
resettlement; 
(4) recognizes the Lebanese Armed Forces 
(LAF) as the sole institution entrusted with the de-
fense of the sovereignty of Lebanon and supports 
strengthening United States partnerships with the 
LAF, particularly through the global coalition to de-
feat 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. 
Æ 
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