Ros-Lehtinen and Engel Statements
March 01, 2005 tayyar.org
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chair of the House Subcommittee on the Middle
East and Central Asia, welcomed the resignation of the Syrian-dominated regime
in Beirut and reiterated her support for efforts by the Lebanese opposition to
tear down the wall of Syrian occupation that has denied them their freedom for
so long. Ros-Lehtinen said: “It is my hope that this resignation will mark a new
beginning for Lebanon. The entire Lebanese people are seeking change -
Christians, Druze, and Muslims, men and women, rich and poor. It is a watershed
moment for a people who have endured grave injustices and brutality under the
Syrian dictatorship. “We must continue to support the brave people of Lebanon,
and encourage them to continue to defy the Syrians and their accomplices, until
their troops leave Lebanon and free, fair, and transparent elections are held to
restore Lebanese sovereignty and true democratic rule.
ENGEL STANDS WITH THE LEBANESE PEOPLE AS THEY RECLAIM THEIR COUNTRY FROM SYRIAN
TYRANNY
Washington, D.C. - Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) released the following statement
after Lebanon's Prime Minister Omar Karami announced he and his government are
resigning just two weeks after the murder of former PM Rafik Hariri.
"I stand with the people of Lebanon as they begin to take their country back
from those who have occupied it for more than two decades. As the Syrian-backed
Lebanese government begins to fall in the face of massive popular protest, the
Syrian security forces must also leave Lebanon without delay. Congress will
stand with those in Lebanon seeking freedom and democracy."