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U.S. House calls for release of Lebanese held by Syria
 The United States House of Representatives has passed a strongly worded resolution condemning the "continuing gross violations of human rights and civil liberties of the Syrian and Lebanese people by the government of Syria." House Resolution 32, among other points, calls on U.S. President George W. Bush to seek "a United Nations Security Council Resolution classifying Lebanon as a captive country and calling for the immediate release of all Lebanese detainees in Syria and Lebanon." It also seeks sanctions against those the U.S. blames for propping up what it calls Syria's "proxy government and president." Resolution 32 states: "The President should freeze all assets in the United States belonging to Lebanese government officials who are found to support and aid the occupation of Lebanon by the Syrian Arab Republic." Although the resolution does not use the term, it is clear it ultimately seeks a regime change in both Beirut and Damascus. It states: "The occupation of Lebanon represents a long-term threat to the security of the Middle East and U.S. efforts to liberalize the economy and policy in the region."Posted by: Fred 2005-03-19 |
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