PSP Appeals Naturalization Decree Before Shura Council

The Progressive Socialist Party submitted on Thursday an appeal before the State Shura Council contesting a naturalization decree granting Lebanese nationality to foreigners.

The PSP, along with the Lebanese Forces and Kataeb party, has earlier called for the revocation of the edict describing it as “scandalous.”

The decree was reportedly issued on May 11 after being signed by President Michel Aoun, but news of its existence only emerged last week when dozens of names allegedly included in the edict were leaked to the media.

Lebanese politicians and ordinary citizens alike are fuming over the decree granting nationality to dozens of people, allegedly including Syrian investors close to the Damascus regime.

Critics have slammed the secrecy surrounding the move and say it adds insult to injury for thousands unable to acquire nationality because they were born to Lebanese mothers and foreign fathers.

The president's office confirmed the decree's existence, but said it had submitted the names to the General Security agency to verify they all have "the right" to become Lebanese.

On Wednesday, it was reported that General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim’s report has found 40 of the names listed in the edict as “non-eligible individuals for Lebanese nationality.”