Lebanon’s Mikati denies granting nationality to Syrian businessmen
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Office of the caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati denied news about signing a decree to confer Lebanese nationality upon Syrian businessmen and other nationalities.
This follows circulations that 4.000 nationality applications were made by Syrian businessmen in return for 50.000-100.000 Euros per application.
On Monday, Office of Prime Minister said in a tweet that all circulations in this regard are baseless, it aims at jamming and create gossip.”
“For clarification, Mikati will not sign any decree for conferring nationality,” it emphasized.
The number of the Syrian refugees residing in Lebanon is approximately 1.5 million, about 900.000 of whom are registered at the UNHCR.
On October 12, Lebanese President Michel Aoun said process of returning Syrian Refugees to their homeland will begin in the framework of a plan that had been previously considered.
Activists noted that returning Syrian refugees could also be linked to growing tensions between Lebanese and Syrians and dire economic crisis the country is witnessing.