R E S O L U T I O N

The Board of Trustees of the International Maronite Foundation approved the following resolution during a meeting of the Board on February 19, 2005, at Los Angeles, USA

Whereas, Former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was a voice of moderation, unity and freedom for Lebanon, who dedicated his efforts to rebuild war-torn Beirut for the benefit of all Lebanese;

Whereas, On February 14, 2005, Rafik Hariri and fifteen other innocent people were brutally assassinated in Beirut, and more than 130 innocent people were injured;

Whereas, On February 16, his Beatitude and Eminence Nasrallah-Peter Cardinal Sfeir, and the Maronite Synod of Bishops issued a communiqué condemning the assassination of Rafik Hariri, recognizing his contributions to Lebanon for the benefit of all Lebanese, and calling for calm and unity in the wake of this tragic event;

Whereas, Numerous leaders throughout the international community, including many leaders inside Lebanon, have called for immediate implementation of United Nations Resolution 1559, which calls for a free, independent and sovereign Lebanon.

Be it resolved, on this 19^th day of February, 2005, at Los Angeles, USA, that the International Maronite Foundation:

1)         Condemns the assassination of Rafik Hariri, and extends its most sincere condolences to the Hariri family and to the families of all those who were killed and injured on February 14, 2005, at Beirut;

2)         Supports the position of the Maronite Synod of Bishops in the call for calm and unity in the wake of this Lebanese national tragedy;

3)         Supports United Nations Resolution 1559, especially the complete and immediate withdrawal of Syrian and all other foreign troops from Lebanese territory and the full restoration of Lebanese sovereignty;

4)         Reaffirms the democratic right of all Lebanese to peacefully disagree with their government without fear of retribution.