Press Release - January 25, 2007  , Washington DC

The Lebanese American Renaissance Partnership (LARP) strongly condemns any act aimed at destabilizing Lebanon and its democratically elected government.  

LARP further expresses its solidarity with the Lebanese people and praises their choice of freedom and life over oppression and war. We applaud the efforts of the Lebanese government in exercising significant restraint in the face of intimidation and aggression.  We also commend its sustained willingness to resume dialogue with all parties involved on the political scene in an attempt to reach a fair and viable resolution. 

We strongly endorse the efforts demonstrated by Prime Minister Seniora and the Lebanese Government in seeking the much-needed financial aid vital for Lebanon’s economic future and development at the international donors' conference held today in Paris with a total pledge of $8 billion. We thank the United States, the various Arab countries, and the European Union for their active participation in this conference and for their sponsorship of Lebanon’s democracy and its hopes for political and economic stability.  We also extend our gratitude to the French President Jacque Chirac for leading this international initiative on behalf of Lebanon.  

LARP calls on the United Nations, the United States Congress and the Bush Administration as well as the international community to ensure the immediate implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701, so that the Lebanese people can start rebuilding their country in a free, sovereign, and democratic environment. 

LARP is an initiative of Lebanese American business, entrepreneurs and community leaders who have joined to support the sovereignty of Lebanon in its reconstruction efforts and to establish a link between Lebanese entrepreneurs and their United States emigrant counterparts.