Washington, DC - On Friday, November 21, 2014, President Obama issued a public letter in support of Lebanon's National Day celebration which urged the Lebanese Republic to elect a new President, as the Presidency has been vacant since May, 2014. Lebanon's Government is an active coalition partner of the United States and 60 other nations in the fight against ISIS, a radical terrorist organization which has taken control of large cities, towns and villages throughout Syria and Iraq and has made attempts to enter Lebanon as well.

The Lebanese Parliament and political leaders inside Lebanon have been unable to secure a quorum to elect the Head of State in Lebanon. It is believed that this situation may continue due to intense political pressures presented by the external conflicts in Syria and Iraq. In support of the need for a new President of Lebanon, the U.S. based Lebanese-American Renaissance Partnership (LARP), one of the largest Lebanese-American business associations, has met with members of Congress and Administration officials asking them for more diplomatic engagement in pushing for the election of a new President.The LARP also calls on members of the international community to exert greater pressure on the Lebanese Parliament in particular the leaders of "March 8" movements who have been thus far boycotting the presidential elections and therefore preventing a quorum.

Several members of LARP's Board of Directors met in recent weeks with representatives of the Obama Administration, House of Representatives and United States Senate that have oversight responsibility for the stability and security of Lebanon. LARP was pleased and surprised by the unusual letter released by the White House on Friday emphasizing the need for the Lebanese Parliament to elect a President of Lebanon on the eve of its 71st anniversary of its independence day http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/pr112114.html

LARP also would like to express its appreciation for the unwavering support being provided by the United States through technical assistance to the Lebanese Army that is keeping Lebanon secure and confronting the existential threats to Lebanon by external and internal terrorist groups. LARP feels this military collaboration should be done in parallel with a strong diplomatic effort to elect a new civilian President who should oversee this military collaboration.

LARP is also committed to supporting the economy and stability of Lebanon, especially maintaining a strong civil society and civic institutions in this culturally diverse nation. LARP supports the efforts of the United States' and other nations to promote economic growth, provide humanitarian assistance to large refugee populations from Syria, and foster peace and democratic institutions inside Lebanon.