SHAHEEN, PERDUE, BENNET INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LEBANON
**Lebanon is hosting more refugees per capita than any other nation and is on the front lines of the fight against ISIS**
(Washington DC) – On the heels of World Refugee Day, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), David Perdue (R-GA), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of Lebanon, particularly acknowledging the more than 1,500,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the tremendous generosity of the Lebanese people. The resolution also recognizes the direct threat to the U.S. and Lebanon posed by ISIS and the unique political challenges the country faces. It also encourages Lebanon’s continued efforts to curb the influence of the terrorist group Hizballah.
“Lebanon has shouldered an enormous burden as a result of the ongoing conflict in Syria, and our Senate resolution acknowledges the importance of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Lebanon,” said Senator Shaheen. “The Lebanese people have demonstrated true humanitarian spirit in welcoming more than one and a half million Syrian refugees while also suffering attacks by ISIS. To help preserve stability in Lebanon and counter the destabilizing influence of Iran’s terrorist proxy Hizballah, the U.S. has and must continue to provide crucial humanitarian support, as well as economic and security assistance, to the government of Lebanon.”
"It is in the best interest of the global community to support a secure and stable Lebanon, which is home to the largest percentage of Christians of any nation in the region,” said Senator Perdue. “Lebanon bears the burden of the current Syrian refugee crisis, a major contributor to the worst refugee crisis the world has ever known, all while carrying out the ongoing fight against ISIS on its own soil. At the same time, Lebanon has been undermined for years by the undue foreign influence of Iran and its terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, that is also threatening U.S. allies in the region including Israel. This dire situation requires bold action from the international community, but progress cannot be achieved without U.S. leadership.”
“Lebanon has continued to open its doors to refugees despite the tremendous strain it puts on the country’s resources,” Senator Bennet said. “This resolution recognizes that we must work with our partners to address not just the immediate refugee crisis, but also to build stability, counter Hizballah, and support investments in security, services, and infrastructure.”
Text of the resolution is available here.
