Supporting Lebanon as a Force for Peace

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to direct the attention of my colleagues to the fragile but critical status of the country of Lebanon.

Mr. Speaker, we are perhaps days away from an international tribunal's verdict on who killed former prime minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri. That verdict, many say, could plunge Lebanon into another round of violence and retribution.

Thankfully, this body, through the leadership of people like HOWARD BERMAN and NITA LOWEY, has removed its reservations on U.S. military aid to the Lebanese army. This is a crucial step in terms of securing the Lebanese border with Israel, and it could be a crucial step should the tribunal's decision on who killed Prime Minister Hariri lead to greater instability in that country.

Mr. Speaker, we must support Lebanon as a force for peace and prosperity in this critical region. We need Lebanon as an ally to America and to all the countries in that region who are pushing for peace.

I have thousands of Lebanese American constituents in Connecticut. They constantly remind me of the importance of these points, and I believe they are right.

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