Document File: Lebanon
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Concurrent Resolution 331
U.S. House of Representatives
24 May 2000
[MEIB Editor: This is identical to Senate Concurrent Resolution 116, introduced by Sen. Trent Lott]
Whereas Israel has been actively seeking a comprehensive peace with all of her neighbors to bring
about an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict;
Whereas southern Lebanon has for decades been the staging area for attacks against Israeli cities and
towns by Hezbollah and by Palestinian terrorists, resulting in the death or wounding of hundreds of
Israeli civilians;
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 425 (March 19, 1978) calls upon Israel to
withdraw its forces from all Lebanese territory;
Whereas the Government of Israel unanimously agreed to implement Security Council Resolution
425 and has stated its intention of redeploying its forces to the international border by July 7, 2000;
Whereas Security Council Resolution 425 also calls for 'strict respect for the territorial integrity,
sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries'
and establishes a United Nations interim force to help restore Lebanese sovereignty; and
Whereas the Government of Syria currently deploys 30,000 Syrian troops in Lebanon: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--
(1) commends Israel for its decision to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon and for taking
risks for peace in the Middle East;
(2) calls upon the United Nations Security Council--
(A) to recognize Israel's fulfillment of its obligations under Security Council Resolution 425 and to
provide the necessary resources for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to
implement its mandate under that resolution; and
(B) insist upon the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanese territory so that Lebanon may
exercise sovereignty throughout its territory;
(3) urges UNIFIL, in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, to gain full control over
southern Lebanon, including taking actions to ensure the disarmament of Hezbollah and all other
such groups, in order to eliminate all terrorist activity originating from that area;
(4) appeals to the Government of Lebanon to grant clemency and assure the safety and rehabilitation
into Lebanese society of all members of the South Lebanon Army and their families;
(5) calls upon the international community to ensure that southern Lebanon does not once again
become a staging ground for attacks against Israel and to cooperate in bringing about the
reconstruction and reintegration of southern Lebanon;
(6) recognizes Israel's right, enshrined in Chapter 7, Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, to
defend itself and its people from attack and reasserts United States support for maintaining Israel's
qualitative military edge in order to ensure Israel's long-term security; and
(7) urges all parties to reenter the peace process with the Government of Israel in order to bring
peace and stability to all the Middle East.
