Lawmaker Recently Returned from Five Day Trip to Lebanon and Israel

 

 

Washington, D.C. – The Israeli government today announced it will lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon on Thursday evening.  The decision follows the return Tuesday night of a Congressional Delegation visit that included discussions with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and other high level officials from both governments. 

 

The delegation consisted of U.S. Reps. Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-La.), Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) and Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas).  Boustany released the following statement regarding Israel’s announcement today:

 

“Today’s announcement will begin the process of bringing true economic recovery to Lebanon.  Throughout our talks with Minister Livni, we urged Israel to show trust in Prime Minister Siniora and his government.  This is the first sign of that trust, and it will bring welcome relief to the innocent civilians of Lebanon.

 

“It is critical that the United States and our European allies continue to exert pressure on the Lebanese Army and the United Nations force in order to fully secure the borders.  Without an end to the flow of weapons and resources to Hezbollah, real security in the region will never be achieved.”

 

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