IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 706 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 31, 2009 Mr. Issa (for himself, Mr. Rahall, Mr. Boustany, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Carnahan, Ms. Kaptur, and Mr. Delahunt) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Congratulating the people of Lebanon on successfully conducting free, fair, and democratic parliamentary elections on June 7, 2009.

Whereas the parliamentary elections held in Lebanon on June 7, 2009, were observed by sanctioned international monitoring missions and determined to be free, fair, and to reflect the democratic will of the Lebanese people; Whereas several recommendations of the National Commission on Electoral Law were adopted to revise and reform the electoral system ahead of the June 2009 elections; Whereas the Ministry of Interior, Lebanese Armed Forces, and Internal Security Forces, through their respective roles of administering and supervising the parliamentary elections, demonstrated a strong commitment to professionalism and the integrity of the electoral process; Whereas the United States supports full implementation of all United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Lebanon, including Resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701; Whereas unexploded ordinance and landmines remain a hazard, and the repair and restoration of Lebanese infrastructure remains a challenge for the Government of Lebanon; Whereas assistance by the United States can stimulate the Government of Lebanon to address broad national concerns about the fair distribution of government services, economic opportunities, and employment, which are essential for a peaceful and prosperous society; Whereas continued support for civil society and educational institutions would enhance Lebanon’s capacity for governance; Whereas the people of Lebanon have a rich and proud history, dating from ancient times to the present, and a democratic tradition for much of its modern history; Whereas Lebanon and the United States have enjoyed a history of friendship and cooperation which has been evidenced by the immigration of millions of Lebanese to the United States where they and their descendants have contributed greatly to the fabric of life in the United States; and Whereas an independent, democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Lebanon is in the national security interest of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)congratulates the Republic of Lebanon for successfully conducting free, fair, transparent, and democratic parliamentary elections; (2)commends the people of Lebanon for demonstrating their commitment to a free and fair electoral process, furthermore recognizing their adoption of significant electoral reforms in the areas of campaign finance, media regulations, accreditation, and transparency; (3)expresses support for United States economic assistance to be used to stimulate and promote additional efforts by the Government of Lebanon to increase security, reduce poverty and unemployment, and facilitate the fair distribution of government services and economic opportunity towards the goal of a peaceful, prosperous Lebanon; and (4)affirms that rather than a battleground for foreign confrontation or competition, Lebanon, as a fully sovereign and independent nation, at peace with its neighbors, is critical to the national security of the United States and a respected partner in the Middle East.