ASIA/LEBANON - The Maronite Church calls for a law to ensure emigrants the recovery of Lebanese nationality

Bkerké (Agenzia Fides) - Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai urged the government of Lebanon to work on the bill again to allow immigrants from the Country of the Cedars to recover Lebanese nationality. The invitation of the Patriarch was expressed during a meeting with leaders of the Maronite Foundation in the world, held on Monday, March 16 at the patriarchal seat in Bkerké. During the meeting – say Lebanese sources, the Patriarch called on Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil - current president of the Foundation - to take charge of the problem, pointing out: "Even if the country is going through difficulties, this does not mean that the value of our land has decreased". Minister Bassil has publicly pledged to urge parliament so that the matter is placed among the priorities of parliamentary work.
The Assembly of the Maronite Foundation in the world, in addition to Patriarch Rai and Foreign Minister Bassil, was also attended by former minister Michel Edde. In his speech, Patriarch Rai stressed the valuable role carried out by the Foundation in the countries of emigration. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 17/03/2015)