A joint resolution providing statutory authorization under the War Powers Resolution for continued United States participation in the multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon in order to obtain withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon.
PL 98-119 (S.J.Res.159), enacted 10/12/1983

PUBLIC LAW 98-119—OCT. 12, 1983 
97 STAT. 805 
Public Law 98-119 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Providing statutory authorization under the War Powers Resolution for continued 
United States participation in the muhinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon in 
order to obtain withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon. 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, 
SHORT TITLE 
SECTION 1. This joint resolution may be cited as the "Multina-
tional Force in Lebanon Resolution". 
Oct. 12, 1983 
[S.J. Res. 159] 
Multinational 
Force in 
Lebanon 
Resolution. 
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note. 
FINDINGS AND PURPOSE 
SEC. 2. (a) The Congress finds that— 
(1) the removal of all foreign forces from Lebanon is an 
essential United States foreign policy objective in the Middle 
East; 
(2) in order to restore full control by the Government of 
Lebanon over its own territory, the United States is currently 
participating in the multinational peacekeeping force (hereafter 
in this resolution referred to as the "Multinational Force in 
Lebanon") which was established in accordance with the ex-
change of letters between the Governments of the United States 
and Lebanon dated September 25,1982; 
(3) the Multinational Force in Lebanon better enables the 
Government of Lebanon to establish its unity, independence, 
and territorial integrity; 
(4) progress toward national political reconciliation in Leba-
non is necessary; and 
(5) United States Armed Forces participating in the Multina-
tional Force in Lebanon are now in hostilities requiring authori-
zation of their continued presence under the War Powers 
Resolution. 
Qj) The Congress determines that the requirements of section 
4(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution became operative on August 29, 
1983. Consistent with section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution, the 
purpose of this joint resolution is to authorize the continued partici-
pation of United States Armed Forces in the Multinational Force in 
Lebanon. 
(c) The Congress intends this joint resolution to constitute the 
necessary specific statutory authorization under the War Powers 
Resolution for continued participation by United States Armed 
Forces in the Multinational Force in Lebanon. 
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note. 
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note. 
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97 STAT. 806 
PUBLIC LAW 98-119—OCT. 12, 1983 
AUTHORIZATION FOR CONTINUED PARTiaPATION OP UNITED STATES 
ARMED FORCES IN THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE IN LEBANON 
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gjjc. 3. The President is authorized, for purposes of section 5(b) of 
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4
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*^® ^*"* Powers ReBolution, to continue participation by United 
States Armed Forces in the Multinational Force in Lebanon, subject 
to the provisions of section 6 of this joint resolution. Such participa-
tion shall be limited to performance of the functions, and shall be 
subject to the limitations, specified in the agreement establishing 
the Multinational Force in Lebanon as set forth in the exchange of 
letters between the Governments of the United States and Lebanon 
dated September 25, 1982, except that this shall not preclude such 
protective measures as may be necessary to ensure the safety of the 
Multinational Force in Lebanon. 
REPORTS TO THE CONGRESS 
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SEC. 4. As required by section 4(c) of the War Powers Resolution, 
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*^® President shall report periodically to the Congress with respect 
to the situation in Lebanon, but in no event shall he report less 
often than once every three months. Li addition to providing the 
information required by that section on the status, scope, and 
duration of hostilities involving United States Armed Forces, such 
reports shall describe in detail— 
(1) the activities being performed by the Multinational Force 
in Lebanon; 
(2) the present composition of the Multinational Force in 
Lebanon, including a description of the respK)nsibilities and 
deployment of the armed forces of each participating country; 
(3) the results of efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate 
the Multinational Force in Lebanon; 
(4) how continued United States participation in the Multina-
tional Force in Lebanon is advancing United States foreign 
policy interests in the Middle East; and 
(5) what progress has occurred toward national political rec-
onciliation among all Lebanese groups. 
STATEMENTS OP POLICY 
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SEC. 5. (a) The Congress declares that the participation of the 
^°^- 
armed forces of other countries in the Multinational Force in Leba-
non is essential to maintain the international character of the 
peacekeeping function in Lebanon. 
(b) The Congress believes that it should continue to be the policy 
of the United States to promote continuing discussions with Israel, 
Syria, and Lebanon with the objective of bringing about the with-
drawal of all foreign troops from Lebanon and establicLing an 
environment which will permit the Lebanese Armed Forces to carry 
out their responsibilities in the Beirut area. 
(c) It is the sense of the CJongress that, not later than one year 
after the date of enactment of this joint resolution and at least once 
a year thereafter, the United States should discuss with the other 
members of the Security Council of the United Nations the estab-
lishment of a United Nations peacekeeping force to assume the 
responsibilities of the Multinational Force in Lebanon. An analysis 
of the implications of the response to such discussions for the 
continuation of the Multinational Force in Lebanon shall be 
PUBLIC LAW 98-119—OCT. 12, 1983 
97 STAT. 807 
included in the reports required under paragraph (3) of section 4 of 
this resolution. 
DURATION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR UNITED STATES PARTICIPATION IN 
THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE IN LEBANON 
SEC. 6. The participation of United States Armed Forces in the so use i54i 
Multinational Force in Lebanon shall be authorized for purposes of ^°^-
the War Powers Resolution until the end of the eighteen-month so use i54i 
period beginning on the date of enactment of this resolution unless ^°^-
the Congress extends such authorization, except that such authori-
zation shall terminate sooner upon the occurrence of any one of the 
following: 
(1) the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, unless 
the President determines and certifies to the Congress that 
continued United States Armed Forces participation in the 
Multinational Force in Lebanon is required after such with-
drawal in order to accomplish the purposes specified in the 
September 25,1982, exchange of letters providing for the estab-
lishment of the Multinational Force in Lebanon; or 
(2) the assumption by the United Nations or the Government 
of Lebanon of the responsibilities of the Multinational Force in 
Lebanon; or 
(3) the implementation of other effective security arrange-
ments in the area; or 
(4) the withdrawal of all other countries from participation in 
the Multinational Force in Lebanon. 
INTERPRETATION OF THIS RESOLUTION 
SEC. 7. (a) Nothing in this joint resolution shall preclude the so use i54i 
President from withdrawing United States Armed Forces participa- ^°^-
tion in the Multinational Force in Lebanon if circumstances war-
rant, and nothing in this joint resolution shall preclude the Congress 
by joint resolution from directing such a withdrawal. 
(b) Nothing in this joint resolution modifies, limits, or supersedes 
any provision of the War Powers Resolution or the requirement of so use i54i 
section 4(a) of the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Act of 1983, ^^- 
215 
relating to congressional authorization for any substantial expan- 
" ^' ^ 
sion in the number or role of United States Armed Forces in 
Lebanon. 
CONGRESSIONAL PRIORITY PROCEDURES FOR AMENDMENTS 
SEC. 8. (a) Any joint resolution or bill introduced to amend or so use i54i 
repeal this Act shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign "°** 
Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Committee on For-
eign Relations of the Senate, as the case may be. Such joint resolu-
tion or bill shall be considered by such committee within fifteen 
calendar days and may be reported out, together with its recommen-
dations, unless such House shall otherwise determine pursuant to 
its rules. 
(b) Any joint resolution or bill so reported shall become the 
pending business of the House in question (in the case of the Senate 
the time for debate shall be equally divided between the proponents 
and the opponents) and shall be voted on within three calendar days 
97 STAT. 808 
PUBLIC LAW 98-119—OCT. 12, 1983 
Committee of 
conference. 
Conference 
reports. 
thereafter, unless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas 
and nays. 
(c) Such a joint resolution or bill passed by one House shall be 
referred to the committee of the other House named in subsection 
(a) and shall be reported out by such committee together with its 
recommendations within fifteen calendar days and shall thereupon 
become the pending business of such House and shall be voted upon 
within three calendar days, unless such House shall otherwise 
determine by the yeas and nays. 
(d) In the case of any disagreement between the two Houses of 
Congress with respect to a joint resolution or bill passed by both 
Houses, conferees shall be promptly appointed and the committee of 
conference shall make and file a report with respect to such joint 
resolution within six calendar days after the legislation is referred 
to the committee of conference. Notwithstanding any rule in either 
House concerning the printing of conference reports in the Record 
or concerning any delay in the consideration of such reports, such 
report shall be acted on by both Houses not later than six calendar 
days after the conference report is filed. In the event the conferees 
are unable to agree within forty-eight hours, they shall report back 
to their respective Houses in disagreement. 
Approved October 12, 1983. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 
J. Res. 159 (H.J. Res. 364): 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-385 accompanying H.J. Res. 364 (Comm. on Foreign 
Affairs). 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-242 (Comm. on Foreign Relations). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 129 (1983): 
Sept. 26-29, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 28, H.J. Res. 364 considered and passed House. 
Sept. 29, considered and passed House. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 19, No. 41 (1983): 
Oct. 12, Presidential statement.