Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Lebanon

JULY 28, 2022

PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.  In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Lebanon declared in Executive Order 13441 of August 1, 2007, is to continue in effect beyond August 1, 2022.

Certain ongoing activities, such as Iran's continuing arms transfers to Hizballah — which include increasingly sophisticated weapons systems — serve to undermine Lebanese sovereignty, contribute to political and economic instability in the region, and continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.

Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13441 with respect to Lebanon.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

   July 28, 2022

Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Lebanon

JULY 28, 2022

STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

On August 1, 2007, by Executive Order 13441, the President declared a national emergency with respect to Lebanon pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions of certain persons to undermine Lebanon's legitimate and democratically elected government or democratic institutions; to contribute to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Lebanon, including through politically motivated violence and intimidation; to reassert Syrian control or contribute to Syrian interference in Lebanon; or to infringe upon or undermine Lebanese sovereignty.  Such actions contribute to political and economic instability in that country and the region.

Certain ongoing activities, such as Iran's continuing arms transfers to Hizballah — which include increasingly sophisticated weapons systems — serve to undermine Lebanese sovereignty, contribute to political and economic instability in the region, and continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared on August 1, 2007, must continue in effect beyond August 1, 2022.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to Lebanon declared in Executive Order 13441.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.\

THE WHITE HOUSE,

    July 28, 2022.

Remembering the Victims of Hizballah Attacks

Press Statement
Ned Price, Department Spokesperson
July 18, 2022

Today brings a moment of somber reflection for the victims and survivors of two heinous Hizballah attacks: the 1994 bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA), a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the 2012 attack on a tour bus in Burgas, Bulgaria, carrying Israeli tourists. The two Hizballah attacks, carried out with Iranian support, devastated hundreds of families.

The single deadliest antisemitic attack in more than half a century, the AMIA bombing underscored Hizballah's global ambitions and is a clear example of Iran's support of international terrorism. High-level Iranian government officials were directly implicated in the attack, and Hizballah carried it out at the direction of the Iranian regime. While no one responsible for the attack has been brought to justice, the United States believes all Argentines deserve to have those responsible held accountable for this despicable and cowardly attack.

Eighteen years later, Hizballah murdered five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver in a bomb attack in Burgas, which also injured 45 Israeli youth traveling on the bus. While Bulgarian courts convicted two Hizballah operatives in absentia in connection with the bombing, justice has yet to be served.

The United States is committed to countering Hizballah and Iran's malign influence. The funding, training, weapons, and other support Iran provides Hizballah support complex and heinous terrorist attacks like these. The callous murder of civilians must not stand. With our support, more than a dozen countries across Europe, South America, Central America, and the Pacific have issued national level designations, bans, or other restrictions against Hizballah. We urge more countries to take similar measures, which make it harder for the group and its backers in Tehran to threaten peace and security around the globe.

Remembering the Victims of Hizballah Attacks

PRESS STATEME

NTNED PRICE, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON

JULY 18, 2022

Today brings a moment of somber reflection for the victims and survivors of two heinous Hizballah attacks: the 1994 bombing of the Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA), a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the 2012 attack on a tour bus in Burgas, Bulgaria, carrying Israeli tourists. The two Hizballah attacks, carried out with Iranian support, devastated hundreds of families.

The single deadliest antisemitic attack in more than half a century, the AMIA bombing underscored Hizballah's global ambitions and is a clear example of Iran's support of international terrorism. High-level Iranian government officials were directly implicated in the attack, and Hizballah carried it out at the direction of the Iranian regime. While no one responsible for the attack has been brought to justice, the United States believes all Argentines deserve to have those responsible held accountable for this despicable and cowardly attack.

Eighteen years later, Hizballah murdered five Israeli tourists and a Bulgarian bus driver in a bomb attack in Burgas, which also injured 45 Israeli youth traveling on the bus. While Bulgarian courts convicted two Hizballah operatives in absentia in connection with the bombing, justice has yet to be served.

The United States is committed to countering Hizballah and Iran's malign influence. The funding, training, weapons, and other support Iran provides Hizballah support complex and heinous terrorist attacks like these. The callous murder of civilians must not stand. With our support, more than a dozen countries across Europe, South America, Central America, and the Pacific have issued national level designations, bans, or other restrictions against Hizballah. We urge more countries to take similar measures, which make it harder for the group and its backers in Tehran to threaten peace and security around the globe.

Ambassador Dorothy Shea’s Remarks on the 246th Anniversary of U.S. Independence

Media Notice on July 2, 2022
Ambassador Dorothy Shea's Remarks on the 246th Anniversary of U.S. Independence
Delivered on June 30, 2022

On the 246th Anniversary of U.S. Independence, Ambassador Dorothy Shea delivered the following remarks:

"Good evening, everyone. Masaa el Kheir. It is such a pleasure to welcome you.
Representing the President of the Lebanese Republic, His Excellency Elias Bou Saab.
Representing the President of the Chamber of Deputies, the Honorable Fady Alameh.
Representing the President of the Council of Ministers, His Excellency Abdallah Bou Habib.

Your Excellencies, Ambassadors, other distinguished guests, and friends.

Let me begin by saying it is just a great pleasure to welcome you all in person celebrating our nation's independence, right here at the U.S. Embassy.

It has been two years since we have done this. This year, we chose the theme of liberty and justice for all. I cannot think of a more appropriate message given what is happening in the world right now. As we watch Russia's horrendous acts of aggression in Ukraine, it reminds us of the importance of democracy and the rule of law, the need to respect sovereignty and the rules of the international order. There is no justification in the wanton destruction, loss of life and attacks on civilian neighborhoods and institutions that we have witnessed the Russian forces perpetrate in Ukraine these past few months.

The United States has consistently shown our support for the people of Ukraine, including through humanitarian and security assistance.

Here in Lebanon, we are seeing the impacts of Russia's war and siege on Ukrainians' ports, which has upended the global wheat market, among other things. This could not happen at a worse time for Lebanon. Lebanon's people are facing a true humanitarian crisis, and food insecurity is now a very real concern.

This has prompted the United States to recommit itself to support the neediest people in this country. When I talk about U.S. support, it is not just words. We are on the ground, providing concrete assistance to the people of Lebanon, assistance they desperately need.

Whether that takes the form of additional food aid, beyond the 64 million that we have already provided this year, or the $3 billion in security assistance since 2007, including for the Lebanese armed forces, we stand by you. We are augmenting our educational exchange programs and support for teachers, universities, and students with $150 million in scholarships for deserving students.

And this is not all. We have provided $180 million to upgrade public water facilities, for example. We have helped over 170 communities across this country create jobs in those communities, helping those communities. We have invested $20 million in entrepreneurship and startup programs. And we are supporting people with disabilities and the LGBTQI+ community as they try to advance the rights for all people to participate in society.

Indeed, since 2006, the United States has provided more than $5 billion in foreign assistance to Lebanon, and we have been entrepreneurial in seeking additional assistance for this country. And believe me, we will continue to do so. So, when I say as I do, that we are in this together. I mean it. It is not just words. And we live that commitment every day.

On the governmental level, we and others in the international community were adamant about the need for free, fair and on time parliamentary elections. Similarly, we are clear about the importance of government formation and the presidential elections that will follow.

The country can no longer allow mismanagement, corruption and a lack of accountability to persist. Lebanon needs transparency. It needs reforms. All of these are steps to put this country back on track and regain the confidence of international investors and donors.

For the 4th of July last year, we had a very small group here of high school students, young Lebanese. They were participating in one of our many educational exchange programs. They had not been allowed to travel to the United States due to COVID. So, we really wanted to give them a special 4th of July. But I gave them a speech like I am giving one to you, and I challenged them to make their own commitments to Lebanon. I urged them to develop their leadership skills so that they can be forces for positive change in their communities. I advised them to take steps to advance what is right, rather than being distracted by slogans that draw away from progress and recovery. I told them that this is the spirit that we celebrate on our Independence Day. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Those of you gathered here today have been our partners, our implementers, our interlocutors. And as I said at the beginning, our friends. And I would respectfully pose to you the same challenge that I issued to those young friends last year.

Lebanon cannot afford political bickering, populist distractions or delays in implementing reforms. So, the question is, how can we take up the mantle of pursuing liberty and justice for all? Our theme for tonight, every day, in each of our actions and interactions. Let us resolve to help the people of Lebanon emerge from the compound crises the country is facing and reclaim its position as a beacon of entrepreneurship and prosperity, as well as democracy and freedom in the Middle East. Thank you all.