Statements by four American legislatures
on the current Lebanese Government crisis/13.01.11
U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman, Congressman Howard L. Berman, U.S. Rep. Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Chris Murphy
ACKERMAN CALLS FOR CONTINUING SUPPORT
FOR LEBANON IN CRISIS
News from Congressman Gary Ackerman
5th District – New York
Queens & Long Island
January 12, 2011
Contact: Jordan Goldes, 718-423-2154
U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY), who is expected to be the Democratic Ranking
Member on the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, today issued
the enclosed statement following the action of the 11 Lebanese cabinet ministers
who resigned as part of an effort to bring down the government of Prime Minister
Sa’ad Hariri because of his continuing support of the Special Tribunal for
Lebanon:
“At this moment of political chaos in Lebanon, I think it’s absolutely essential
that the United States continue to support Prime Minister Hariri in his efforts
to maintain stability, to protect Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence, and to
preserve the quest for justice embodied in the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).
Prime Minister Hariri has been steadfast, disciplined and focused on protecting
Lebanon’s vital interests and maintaining calm in his country.
“Today, in his meeting with Prime Minister Hariri, President Obama made crystal
clear the enduring support of the United States for Lebanon’s sovereignty and
independence, as well as the continuing need to implement all the relevant UN
Security Council resolutions regarding Lebanon. I commend the President for
standing up so clearly for Lebanon in its time of need.
“In the face of provocation, threats of insurrection, and attempts at
intimidation, extortion and blackmail by the terrorists in Hezbollah, an arm of
the barbaric theocratic dictatorship in Iran, and an ally of the thuggish regime
in Damascus, Prime Minister Hariri has stood firm, yielding only that ground
necessary to preserve calm inside his country. But on the fundamental principle
of the government’s sovereignty and the importance of the STL in the search for
justice for his murdered father, the former prime minister, as well as 21 other
innocent Lebanese citizens, he has been unwavering.
“The United States must continue to support those Lebanese committed to a future
of peace, justice and stability for their country and for the region.”
Berman Reacts To Hezbollah’s Forced
Collapse of Lebanese Government
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
CONTACT: Gabby Adler
Gabby.Adler@mail.house.gov
202.225.8110, office
202.215.4509, cell
Washington, DC – Congressman Howard L. Berman, Ranking Democrat on the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement in response to
Hezbollah’s forced collapse of the Lebanese Government.
“I stand firmly behind Prime Minister Hariri’s decision not to cave in to
Hezbollah’s blackmail. This is a critical time for Lebanon to find a peaceful
way forward, and I urge all Lebanese to reject violence in resolving this
matter.”
Ros-Lehtinen Statement on Situation in
Lebanon
House Foreign Affairs Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Republican
January 12, 2011
CONTACT: Brad Goehner or Andeliz Castillo, (202) 226-8467,
http://foreignaffairs.house.gov
For IMMEDIATE Release
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement today on the
reported fall of the Government of Lebanon after the withdrawal of ministers
representing Hezbollah and its partners:
“As the government of Lebanon appears to enter a period of transition at this
crucial time, we must strongly and consistently support pro-democracy and
pro-freedom Lebanese and the formation of a government free from the destructive
influence of Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah.
“The Iran-Syria-Hezbollah axis is working to put an end to any hope for
sovereignty, democracy, and freedom for Lebanon and the Lebanese people. The
United States and other responsible nations must not repeat past mistakes where
we failed to stand up to those who threaten Lebanon and all free nations.
“We must be vigilant against efforts to obstruct the work of the Special
Tribunal for Lebanon and to evade accountability for the assassination of former
prime minister Rafiq Hariri.”
Congressman Chris Murphy issued the
following statement in reaction to the Hizbollah-led coalition’s efforts to
bring down the government as a path to delegitimize the UN Special Tribunal’s
investigation of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
January 12, 2011
Congressman Chris Murphy issued the following statement in reaction to the
Hizbollah-led coalition’s efforts to bring down the government as a path to
delegitimize the UN Special Tribunal’s investigation of the assassination of
former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
By walking out of the governing coalition today, Hizbollah and its allies
unveiled their determination to hold the Lebanese unity government hostage to
their own parochial interests. The Lebanese people shouldn’t have to choose
between justice and stability – they deserve both. The work of the Special
Tribunal must be allowed to continue without interference from any outside
party, and the individuals responsible must be held accountable without threats
of violence from any side. I join President Obama in reaffirming the U.S.
commitment to our partnership with Lebanon, and strongly support Prime Minister
Saad Hariri’s determined effort to protect Lebanese sovereignty and promote
peace and stability in his country.
Jessica Elledge
Executive/Legislative Assistant
Congressman Christopher Murphy (CT-5)