| In the context of the dire situation in Lebanon and the rising fears of a full-scale war in Lebanon, and based on its continuous communication with the U.S. administration and the active Lebanese diaspora in the United States and around the world, the Lebanese-American Coordinating Committee (LACC) emphasizes the following: 1. Lebanon is experiencing a critical moment amidst the escalating confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah, with rising fears of an expansion of the war, which poses catastrophic and destructive risks to the Lebanese people. This necessitates intensifying diplomatic efforts to stop the war, foremost among them the efforts exerted by the U.S. administration in this context. 2. The escalating fears of an expansion of the war find their roots in the lack of a sustainable solution to the outstanding border issues between Lebanon and Israel, which continues to occupy Lebanese territories, in addition to the failure to implement the provisions of Resolution 1701, which has been widely violated since 2006. This necessitates pushing towards a full operational commitment to its stipulations, as well as its annexes in Resolution 2650, which was approved by all members of the UN Security Council. 3. Resolution 1701 is closely linked to Resolutions 1680 and 1559, all of which stem from the spirit of the Lebanese constitution and the Taif Agreement, affirming the Lebanese state's right to exercise exclusive sovereignty over all its territories. This requires the Lebanese authorities to adhere to the constitution and international resolutions and to empower the legitimate armed forces with the necessary equipment and personnel to perform their duties in this context in coordination with UNIFIL forces, while simultaneously initiating a process to neutralize Lebanon from regional and international conflicts. 4. The ongoing vacancy in the presidency indicates a deliberate intent to alter the foundations of the Lebanese parliamentary democratic system, threatening the Lebanese national pact of partnership in governance and coexistence and undermining proper order and governance in constitutional institutions. This necessitates opening the doors of the parliament without delay for successive sessions until a unifying, sovereign, reformist, and rescuing president is elected to restore Lebanon's active role and renew the Lebanese people's hope in preserving their nation's cultural identity. 5. The exacerbation of the Syrian displacement crisis since 2011 requires a different approach from the international community and the United Nations, urgently pushing for the facilitation of the return of displaced persons to Syria. Thus, the implementation of Resolution 2254, which is related to the political solution in Syria, forms a crucial entry point in this regard. It is essential to emphasize that all forms of illegal presence on Lebanese territory must be terminated, the official border crossings regulated, and the illegal ones closed. Additionally, the displacement status should be removed from groups that, by their constant movement to Syria, demonstrate their ability to return to their homeland, thereby alleviating the burden on Lebanon. Practically, it is imperative to implement the memorandum of understanding previously signed by the UNHCR with the General Directorate of General Security on 09/09/2003, ratified by the Lebanese government through Decree 1162 on 30/10/2003, in which the UNHCR acknowledged that Lebanon is not a country of asylum but merely a transit country, and committed to precise mechanisms with the Lebanese authorities for the deportation or resettlement of refugees in a third country. This applies to Syrian displaced persons who can return to Syria, now 90% secure, or be resettled in a third country. The Lebanese-American Coordinating Committee (LACC) reaffirms its commitment to continue striving to strengthen Lebanese-American relations based on the values of freedom, democracy, and justice. It also pledges to continue supporting the legitimate causes of the Lebanese people. |
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