Title: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the continued importance of the United States-Lebanon relationship.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution recognizes the role of Lebanon and its institutions as historic examples of democratic values in the Middle East and expresses support for the continuation of democracy and democratic ideals in Lebanon. Further, the resolution recognizes the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as the sole institution entrusted with the defense of the sovereignty of Lebanon and supports strengthening U.S. partnerships with the LAF.
The resolution also expresses support for the rights of the Lebanese people, and it encourages Lebanon to combat corruption in government, execute structural reforms, and work with international financial institutions to stabilize the economy.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1077 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1077

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the continued 
         importance of the United States-Lebanon relationship.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2020

 Mr. LaHood (for himself, Ms. Shalala, Mr. Stivers, and Mr. Graves of 
 Louisiana) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives on the continued 
         importance of the United States-Lebanon relationship.

Whereas the security, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of 
        Lebanon, a pluralistic democracy in the Middle East, is in the interest 
        of the United States and its allies in the region;
Whereas, for more than a decade, the United States has provided robust 
        assistance to Lebanon, including training and equipment for the Lebanese 
        Armed Forces (LAF), development assistance through the Economic Support 
        Fund (ESF), funding for schools and hospitals in Lebanon through the 
        American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Program, and funding for 
        the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI);
Whereas the integrity and independence of the LAF serves a United States 
        national security interest;
Whereas the LAF has been a critical stabilizing force in Lebanon with a 
        longstanding partnership with the United States military;
Whereas the United States has provided over $1,000,000,000 in foreign military 
        and security assistance to the LAF;
Whereas the LAF, as the primary institution entrusted with Lebanon's defense, 
        security, and sovereignty, is an important force to support the safety 
        and security of Lebanon;
Whereas international support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon 
        (UNIFIL) remains necessary to counteract destabilizing forces in Lebanon 
        and help lower tensions at the Lebanon-Israel border;
Whereas UNIFIL has been effective in facilitating tripartite dialogues between 
        the Lebanese and Israeli military officials and in conducting numerous 
        border patrols in partnership with the LAF, to deescalate the 
        possibilities of ``unintended consequences leading to violent 
        conflict'';
Whereas United States support for American institutions in Lebanon through 
        programs such as ASHA, MEPI, and ESF assistance are vital for fostering 
        democratic ideals and principles throughout Lebanon;
Whereas Lebanon hosts an estimated 1,500,000 refugees, a population equal to 
        almost one-third of its native population and the highest refugee-per-
        capita ratio in the world, despite challenges within its own social and 
        economic sectors;
Whereas Hezbollah alongside corrupt elites have taken advantage of the Lebanese 
        economy, government, and its citizens;
Whereas Iran seeks to eliminate Lebanon's sovereignty and its history as a 
        strong United States ally and democratic actor in the Middle East;
Whereas Hezbollah continues to harm the Lebanese people by violating United 
        Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), perpetuating undue 
        foreign influence from Iran, harming the distinct demographic and social 
        equilibrium of Lebanon, stoking sectarian violence, weakening the 
        Lebanese economy, and supporting corruption and violence within Lebanon;
Whereas corruption in the Lebanese public sector remains unchecked, despite 
        calls for efforts to combat corruption in all government and social 
        society sectors;
Whereas the harmful politicization of the independent judiciary in Lebanon is 
        untenable and is being met with strong disagreement by the Lebanese 
        people and international actors; and
Whereas respect for the rule of law and democratic principles of an independent 
        and free press, long supported in Lebanon, must persist at the highest 
        levels: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) notes that the United States provides assistance to the 
        people of Lebanon in order to support services and security for 
        Lebanese citizens, particularly to counter the growing 
        influence and negative impact of Hezbollah and other 
        destabilizing actors;
            (2) encourages the Government of Lebanon to work actively 
        to combat corruption in government, execute structural reforms 
        and anticorruption measures, and work with international 
        financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and 
        World Bank to undertake necessary reforms in order to stabilize 
        the economy;
            (3) calls on the Lebanese Government to secure the safety, 
        freedom of movement, and access for United Nations Interim 
        Force in Lebanon troops and mitigate any destabilizing effects 
        on Lebanon and while supporting robust enforcement of United 
        Nations Security Council Resolution 1701;
            (4) supports the right of the people of Lebanon to engage 
        in peaceful demonstration and assembly to achieve 
        accountability in government, democratic political 
        representation, increased civil rights, and anticorruption 
        reforms;
            (5) 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 to prevent terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, 
        ISIS, and Al Qaeda from gaining influence in Lebanon; and
            (6) recognizes the role of Lebanon and its institutions, 
        such as an independent judiciary, free press, and 
        multidenominational, representative government as historic 
        examples of democratic values in the Middle East and expresses 
        support for the continuation of democracy and democratic ideals 
        in Lebanon.
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