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On the anniversary of Lebanon’s presidential vacuum, the American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL), a leadership organization of Americans of Lebanese descent, calls on Lebanon’s leadership to immediately elect a president. Today marks the one-year anniversary that Lebanon has been facing a complete executive vacuum since former President Michel Aoun vacated Baabda Palace following a six-year term in office.

This vacancy has impeded any solutions to reverse the large-scale economic and social collapse, which the World Bank has identified as one of the worst economic crises since the mid-nineteenth century.

Despite calls from the international community for the Lebanese authorities to enact economic reforms and chart a path towards recovery, no progress has taken place on this front. Furthermore, Lebanon has failed to elect a president after no less than twelve parliamentary sessions, plunging the country into further uncertainty.

On this anniversary, now is the time for all Lebanese factions represented in parliament to urgently compromise and find consensus around a presidential candidate who is competent, reform-minded, and committed to addressing the needs of the people.

“The possibility that the Israel-Hamas war could spread to Lebanon is all the more reason for parliament to come together now and elect a president,” said ATFL President Ed Gabriel. “Lebanon needs a reform-oriented president who can speak with authority and on behalf of the Lebanese people that Lebanon will remain neutral and not involve itself in regional wars, and also deliver on needed reforms to begin Lebanon’s economic recovery,” he added.

The American Task Force on Lebanon (ATFL) condemns Hamas’ horrendous attack on Israel on October 7th, including the mass killing and abduction of Israeli citizens. Israel’s subsequent imposition of a siege on Gaza, in response to the terrorist attack, must now stop: it endangers the lives of innocent civilians by depriving them of goods essential for their survival and compounds an already dire humanitarian situation. We urge both parties to deescalate the situation by, among other measures, ceasing hostilities and releasing hostages and prisoners. We call on all parties to respect international law.

Instead of the continuation of this war, US leadership needs to chart more forcefully a path towards Palestinian statehood, and press for more lasting peace between Israel and Palestine within a two-state solution framework. It is now time for the United States to lead with a sense of determination and equity. 

ATFL’s mission is to enhance the US-Lebanon bilateral relationship. It is in this regard that we call on Hezbollah to refrain from any further aggression that would escalate the conflict with Israel. Any such action risks the longstanding relationship between the United States and Lebanon. Lebanese authorities must demand that Hezbollah and others avoid inflaming the situation and not subject Lebanon any further to regional conflicts. Hezbollah should also understand that they will be held responsible by the Lebanese people and international community for any resulting physical destruction and innocent Lebanese casualties if they instigate hostile action on the Lebanon-Israel border.

Finally, we applaud the appointment of Ambassador David Satterfield as Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues.  We hope that his leadership will prompt a renewed focus on Lebanon, which has faced a massive influx of Syrian refugees due to the ongoing civil war in Syria. Lebanon currently hosts the largest number of refugees on a per capita basis of any country in the world and, as such, is experiencing additional economic distress. Ambassador Satterfield’s responsibilities should include helping alleviate the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, in addition to his responsibilities with regard to the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

ATFL stands ready to facilitate a common understanding between the United States and Lebanon that both protects Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, and leads to a cessation of hostilities in the region.  

With Lebanon facing unprecedented economic and humanitarian crises, its people do not want to be drawn into another war. Lebanese authorities need to demand unequivocally that Hezbollah refrain from further provocative actions that endanger the lives of Lebanese citizens and risk drawing Lebanon into another full-fledged war.

Three years ago, Lebanon experienced the largest non-nuclear explosion in history. The Beirut port blast killed over 220 people and injured thousands of others. 

ATFL remains steadfast in its support of the victims and their families of the port explosion who demand a just investigation. The Lebanese people and the international community have been calling for accountability for those responsible for storing a large amount of ammonium nitrate that detonated at the port. Three years later, there has yet to be a complete investigation and those responsible remain shielded by a politically compromised judicial process. It is time that those responsible, at all levels of government, be brought to justice.

This anniversary comes at the backdrop of a grinding economic and social collapse, and amidst a presidential vacuum and political paralysis. ATFL hopes this solemn anniversary will inspire Lebanon’s political leaders to finally unite in addressing the urgent demands of the Lebanese people.

We continue to champion a vision for a Lebanon that is democratic, pluralistic, prosperous, and sovereign. We know what this anniversary means to the Lebanese people. ATFL, together with the Lebanese American community, has been engaged with policymakers here in Washington, DC to encourage the United States to play a leading role in bringing justice to the victims of the port blast and in Lebanon’s recovery.