| Monday, 18 September 2006 | |
Media Release – Lebanese American Organizations’ Leaders Discussed in Washington DC Current Situation in Lebanon.
Leaders from Lebanese American organizations, in support of Lebanon in its current crisis, met for a conference at the United States Capitol in Washington DC on July 28, 2006 to discuss among themselves and with US officials the ways to address the roots and causes of the current crisis in Lebanon to devise and suggest long lasting solutions to set up a plan of action to help end the dangerous Lebanese situation.
Congressman Darrel Issa deplored the violence and raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis. He furthermore insisted on respecting the authority of the Lebanese government as the sole representative of the free will of the Lebanese people. Representative Issa had visited the White House earlier that morning with a group of other Congressmen from Lebanese origin. The group asked for a cessation of hostilities coupled with a long stabilization plan for Lebanon. They received assurances that the President is concerned about the civilian and the humanitarian losses while at the same time being committed to a lasting solution for Lebanon. Congressman Charles Boustany sympathized with the Lebanese for their losses and supported his colleague Mr. Issa for his stand. Dr Boustany pledged total support to Lebanon in its current crisis and reassured all present of his commitment to work with his colleagues for finding a lasting solution for Lebanon and relieve the suffering of its people. Senator John Sununu sent his assistant Mr Martin Bayr in a show of support for the leadership conference.
Ambassador John Bolton US Ambassador to the United Nations sent a letter to the Conference with Deputy Ambassador Ms Sarah Tinsley Demarest, reiterating that he will not rest until he sees Lebanon sovereign and fully independent from all foreign interferences; the immediate task facing the US Mission and the UN Security Council being the formation of a multinational force to deploy in Southern Lebanon and to separate the protagonists.
The Director of Public Diplomacy at USAID the Honorable Walid Maalouf presented the conference with a report of the aid package sent to Lebanon along with future commitments from his agency to assist the Lebanese people.
At the end of the conference Dr. Joseph Gebeily, President of the Lebanese Information Center and the American Lebanese Coalition, read the resolution to the media on behalf of the organizations present.
RESOLUTION
The Organizations participating in this conference agree on:
1. Calling on all internal and external parties involved in the conflict, directly or indirectly, to fully respect the sovereignty of Lebanon and abide by the rules of International law. 2. Demanding an immediate and complete cease-fire to allow the Lebanese Government and the international community’s efforts to solve the problems emanating from the latest conflagrations and their consequences, in a permanent manner. Such cease-fire is to be followed immediately by a concrete, comprehensive, and speedy process to restore Lebanese sovereignty and defend it against any foreign interference. 3. Opposing Hezbollah’s deplorable actions in engaging Israel in war activities while serving the agendas of Syria and Iran, and its continued determination to ignore Lebanon’s need to have legitimate armed forces, namely the Lebanese Army, and thus abide by the Taef Agreement and relevant UN resolutions. 4. Denouncing the Israeli aggression over Lebanon, and any deliberate targeting of civilians, infrastructure, relief activities, Lebanese Army barracks, and United Nations posts. 5. Deploring the civilian losses and mass displacement of civilians. 6. Expressing gratitude for the United States of America and all other friends of Lebanon for the support they have provided and continue to provide, to the Lebanese government and the Lebanese people. 7. Continuing the campaign in the United States aimed at helping alleviate the suffering of the Lebanese people, and calling for a rapid recovery operation aided by the international community.
8. Asserting that the Lebanese Government is the exclusive legitimate party to negotiate on behalf of Lebanon, and to exclusively hold the decision of war and peace. Supporting the Lebanese Government’s efforts to extend its authority over the totality of the Lebanese territory, to control the Lebanese borders, and to disarm all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias according to the Taef Agreement and UNSCR 1559. 9. Calling for the establishment of an enabled multinational force under the auspices of the United Nations to work alongside the Lebanese Army in deploying along, and securing Lebanon’s borders with Syria and Israel. Furthermore, calling on the United Nations to assist Lebanon in the drawing and finalization of its international borders, and finding a permanent solution to the issue of the Shebaa Farms. 10. Stressing the need for a quick resolution concerning all Lebanese detainees in Syria and Israel. 11. Stressing the need to revert to the 1949 Armistice Agreement between Lebanon and Israel. 12. Reminding the international community that Lebanon has been victimized by all parties involved in this conflict directly or indirectly.
Participating Organizations
American Lebanese Alliance – member of the American Lebanese Coalition Assembly for Lebanon – member of the American Lebanese Coalition Lebanese Information Center – member of the American Lebanese Coalition National Alliance of Lebanese Americans March 14th Alliance in the US World Lebanese Cultural Union American Lebanon Coalition for a Sovereign Lebanon American Lebanese Coordination Council – member of the American Lebanese Coalition Lebanese For Lebanon Foundation American Lebanese Christian Club of Cleveland
For Media and Public Relations Contact:
Dr. Joseph Gebeily
President,
Lebanese Information Center
American Lebanese Coalition
Tel: (240) 498-1895
Email: [email protected]
Joseph Hage
President,
American Lebanese Coordination Council
Vice President – Media & Public Relations
American Lebanese Coalition
Tel: (305) 370-2255
Email: [email protected]
Joseph Hage
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