H.Res. 738

H.RES.738
Title: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the Government of Syria's continued interference in the internal affairs of Lebanon.
Sponsor: Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] (introduced 10/15/2007)    

  

Cosponsors (3)

Rep Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [LA-7] - 10/15/2007	Rep Issa, Darrell E. [CA-49] - 10/15/2007
Rep Lantos, Tom [CA-12] - 10/15/2007

Latest Major Action: 10/15/2007 Passed/agreed to in House. Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 375 - 5, 1 Present (Roll no. 961).

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H. Res. 738

In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

October 15, 2007.

Whereas in 2004, Lebanon's current president had his term extra-legally extended through the interference of Syria in Lebanon's internal affairs;

Whereas former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, the leading opponent of continued Syrian domination of Lebanon and the extra-legal extension of the president's term, was assassinated along with 22 people by a massive car bomb on February 14, 2005;

Whereas investigators from the United Nations have suggested that officials of Syria's government, at the highest levels, appear to be culpable for the assassination of Rafiq Hariri and the 22 other people;

Whereas the people of Lebanon, following the murder of Rafiq Hariri, engaged in a massive popular revolt known as the Cedar Revolution against Syrian interference in their internal affairs and suppression of their national sovereignty;

Whereas the Cedar Revolution, reinforced by international pressure, culminated in the rapid withdrawal of Syrian occupation forces and free elections;

Whereas the current Lebanese government has been under steady attack by domestic and foreign forces that have been engaged in instigating riots and insurrection, suspending the operation of Lebanon's parliament, and perpetrating horrific acts of terror against the Lebanese people;

Whereas Syria and Iran are seeking to dominate Lebanon through their campaign of murder and intimidation aimed at the Lebanese parliamentary majority and other anti-Syrian public and political figures;

Whereas Syria and Iran, through their Lebanese proxies, have demanded the selection of another Lebanese president hand-picked by the Government of Syria;

Whereas Syria and Iran, in clear contravention of numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions, notably 1559 (2004), 1655 (2006), 1664 (2006), 1680 (2006), 1701 (2006), and 1757 (2007), have grossly violated Lebanon's sovereignty by continuing to provide arms to illegitimate Lebanese militias, Palestinian terrorist groups and other terrorist organizations; meddling in Lebanon's internal political affairs; and actively supporting efforts to prevent the election of a new president in accordance with Lebanese law; and

Whereas a sovereign and independent Lebanon is in the national security interest of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) condemns the campaign of murder, terror, and intimidation aimed at overthrowing the democratically-elected government of Lebanon and establishing a new Lebanese government subservient to the will and interests of Syria and Iran;

(2) condemns Syria and Iran for their gross interference in Lebanon's internal political affairs, and particularly, the selection of a new president, and gross violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions protective of Lebanon's sovereignty and independence;

(3) condemns Lebanese political parties and actors who have allied themselves with Syria and Iran to the detriment of their own country and its national interests;

(4) condemns efforts by some Lebanese political figures to obstruct, delay, and impede the legal and established processes of their country for the selection of a new president according to the rule of law;

(5) affirms its continued strong support for Lebanon's democratically-elected government, people and national sovereignty, and its readiness to provide material support;

(6) calls on all nations to recognize and support Lebanon's sovereignty and independence; and

(7) urges the President to use all peaceful means at the disposal of the United States to help safeguard Lebanon's sovereignty and independence.

Attest:

Clerk.