SHAHEEN, PERDUE INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LEBANON

(Washington, DC)— U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and David Perdue (R-GA), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a bipartisan resolution in support of Lebanon, a country under enormous strain due to the conflict in Syria. The resolution applauds Lebanon’s hosting of more than 1,000,000 Syrian refugees and recognizes the direct threat 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 been asked to shoulder an enormous burden as a result of the ongoing conflict in Syria and this should be acknowledged by the United States Senate,” said Senator Shaheen. “The Lebanese people have demonstrated true humanitarian spirit in welcoming more than one million Syrian refugees even as they face 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 should continue to provide humanitarian support, as well as economic and security assistance to the government of Lebanon.”   

"It is in America's—and the world's—best interests 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 is on the front lines of the fight against ISIS and is hosting more refugees proportionally than any nation in the world. However, the Lebanese government is in gridlock because of the meddling of Iran and its terrorist proxy Hezbollah. It is critical the United States works to ensure that the Lebanese government weathers the worsening Syrian conflict and its government can continue to support the people of Lebanon." 

Text of the resolution (S. Res. 553) is available here.