    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [July 18, 2006]
    [Pages 1420-1421]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Departure of American Citizens From
    Lebanon
    July 18, 2006

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        Hostilities involving Israeli military forces and Hezbollah
    terrorists in Lebanon commenced on July 12, 2006, and have included
    military operations in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.
        Although there is no evidence that Americans are being directly
    targeted, the security situation has deteriorated and now presents a
    potential threat to American citizens and the U.S. Embassy. On July 14,
    the Department of State first requested Department of Defense assistance
    to support the departure of American citizens from Lebanon. On July 15,
    U.S. military helicopters temporarily deployed to Cyprus. On July 16,
    these combat-equipped helicopters delivered to U.S. Embassy, Beirut, a
    contingent of U.S. military personnel who will assist in planning and
    conducting the departure from Lebanon of U.S. Embassy personnel and
    citizens and designated third country personnel. The helicopters also
    transported U.S. citizens from Beirut to Cyprus. It is expected that
    these helicopters will continue to provide support to the Embassy,
    including for the departure of additional personnel from Lebanon. It is
    likely that additional combat-equipped U.S. military forces may be
    deployed to Lebanon and Cyprus and other locations, as necessary, in
    order to support further efforts to assist in the departure of persons
    from Lebanon and to provide security.
        These actions are being undertaken solely for the purpose of
    protecting American citizens and property. United States forces will
    redeploy as soon as it is determined that the threat to U.S. citizens
    and property has ended and the departure of any persons, as necessary,
    is completed.
        I have taken this action pursuant to my constitutional authority to
    conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief
    Executive. I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the
    Congress informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Ted Stevens, President pro

    [[Page 1421]]

    tempore of the Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the
    Press Secretary on July 19.