,,iv #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,,res4 #ajgg ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #ca1 #bjbj,mr4 ,la,hood 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,shalala1 ,mr4 ,stivers1 and ,mr4 ,graves of ,louisiana7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs ,,resolution ,expressing the sense of the ,house of ,representatives on the continued importance of the ,united ,states-,lebanon relationship4 ,whereas the security1 sovereignty1 independence1 and territorial integrity of ,lebanon1 a pluralistic democracy in the ,middle ,east1 is in the interest of the ,united ,states and its allies in the region2 ,whereas1 for more than a decade1 the ,united ,states has provided robust assistance to ,lebanon1 including training and equipment for the ,lebanese ,armed ,forces 7,,laf71 development assistance through the ,economic ,support ,fund 7,,esf71 funding for schools and hospitals in ,lebanon through the ,american ,schools and ,hospitals ,abroad 7,,asha7 ,program1 and funding for the ,u4,s4-,middle ,east ,partnership ,initiative 7,,mepi72 ,whereas the integrity and independence of the ,,laf serves a ,united ,states national security interest2 ,whereas the ,,laf has been a critical stabilizing force in ,lebanon with a longstanding partnership with the ,united ,states military2 ,whereas the ,united ,states has provided over #a1jjj1jjj1jjj in foreign military and security assistance to the ,,laf2 ,whereas the ,,laf1 as the primary institution entrusted with ,lebanon's defense1 security1 and sovereignty1 is an important force to support the safety and security of ,lebanon2 ,whereas international support for the ,united ,nations ,interim ,force in ,lebanon 7,,unifil7 remains necessary to counteract destabilizing forces in ,lebanon and help lower tensions at the ,lebanon-,israel border2 ,whereas ,,unifil has been effective in facilitating tripartite dialogues between the ,lebanese and ,israeli military officials and in conducting numerous border patrols in partnership with the ,,laf1 to deescalate the possibilities of unintended consequences leading to violent conflict2 ,whereas ,united ,states support for ,american institutions in ,lebanon through programs such as ,,asha1 ,,mepi1 and ,,esf assistance are vital for fostering democratic ideals and principles throughout ,lebanon2 ,whereas ,lebanon hosts an estimated #a1ejj1jjj refugees1 a population equal to almost one-third of its native population and the highest refugee-per-capita ratio in the world1 despite challenges within its own social and economic sectors2 ,whereas ,hezbollah alongside corrupt elites have taken advantage of the ,lebanese economy1 government1 and its citizens2 ,whereas ,iran seeks to eliminate ,lebanon's sovereignty and its history as a strong ,united ,states ally and democratic actor in the ,middle ,east2 ,whereas ,hezbollah continues to harm the ,lebanese people by violating ,united ,nations ,security ,council ,resolution #agja 7#bjjf71 perpetuating undue foreign influence from ,iran1 harming the distinct demographic and social equilibrium of ,lebanon1 stoking sectarian violence1 weakening the ,lebanese economy1 and supporting corruption and violence within ,lebanon2 ,whereas corruption in the ,lebanese public sector remains unchecked1 despite calls for efforts to combat corruption in all government and social society sectors2 ,whereas the harmful politicization of the independent judiciary in ,lebanon is untenable and is being met with strong disagreement by the ,lebanese people and international actors2 and ,whereas respect for the rule of law and democratic principles of an independent and free press1 long supported in ,lebanon1 must persist at the highest levels3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,house of ,representatives-- 7#a7 notes that the ,united ,states provides assistance to the people of ,lebanon in order to support services and security for ,lebanese citizens1 particularly to counter the growing influence and negative impact of ,hezbollah and other destabilizing actors2 7#b7 encourages the ,government of ,lebanon to work actively to combat corruption in government1 execute structural reforms and anticorruption measures1 and work with international financial institutions like the ,international ,monetary ,fund and ,world ,bank to undertake necessary reforms in order to stabilize the economy2 7#c7 calls on the ,lebanese ,government to secure the safety1 freedom of movement1 and access for ,united ,nations ,interim ,force in ,lebanon troops and mitigate any destabilizing effects on ,lebanon and while supporting robust enforcement of ,united ,nations ,security ,council ,resolution #agja2 7#d7 supports the right of the people of ,lebanon to engage in peaceful demonstration and assembly to achieve accountability in government1 democratic political representation1 increased civil rights1 and anticorruption reforms2 7#e7 recognizes the ,lebanese ,armed ,forces 7,,laf7 as the sole institution entrusted with the defense of the sovereignty of ,lebanon and supports strengthening ,united ,states partnerships with the ,,laf to prevent terrorist groups such as ,hezbollah1 ,,isis1 and ,al ,qaeda from gaining influence in ,lebanon2 and 7#f7 recognizes the role of ,lebanon and its institutions1 such as an independent judiciary1 free press1 and multidenominational1 representative government as historic examples of democratic values in the ,middle ,east and expresses support for the continuation of democracy and democratic ideals in ,lebanon4