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 con-
ducting 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 partici-
pate in the government of the country by freely choosing 
their representatives as guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21 
of the Declaration;
•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 in-
spiration as the desire for democratic reform, free elec-
tions, 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 par-
liamentary 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
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) congratulates the people of Lebanon for 
their determination to peacefully demonstrate and 
assemble, conduct parliamentary elections in May 
and June 2005, and exercise their right to vote in 
the face of the political assassination of former 
Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, bombings, and intimi-
dation; 
(2) urges the new 128-member parliamentary 
assembly in Lebanon to take steps to heal sectarian 
divisions and fulfill the Government of Lebanon’s
•HRES 348 IH 
obligation to the international community to imple-
ment the provisions of United Nations Security 
Council Resolution 1559 (2004) that call for the dis-
banding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-
Lebanese militias and extending government control 
over all Lebanese territory; 
(3) recognizes that peaceful change of power 
and the process of democratization in Lebanon 
should be recognized as an important step toward 
the advancement of democracy in the Middle East; 
(4) continues to support vigorous involvement 
by members of the international community to facili-
tate investigations into the terrorist attacks in Leb-
anon and efforts to bring the perpetrators of assas-
sinations and bombings to justice; and 
(5) expresses support for increasing measures 
and programs designed to reduce poverty, provide 
for better living conditions, increase security, and 
support the development of democracy in Lebanon.
Æ