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Aoun, Hariri Sign 1st Decree on Reclaiming Lebanese Nationality | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Lebanese President Michel Aoun. NNA


Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri signed on Thursday the first decree that allows Lebanese diaspora to reclaim their citizenship from their country of residence.

“Lebanon’s history of migration is long and painful,” Aoun said at the Lebanese Diaspora Energy Conference held at the Beirut International Exhibition and Leisure Center (BIEL).

“People think that the path of emigration is filled with roses and jasmine flowers, but only those who have left know how difficult it is.”

“To leave for a better education or for a job opportunity is not a bad thing, but to leave for a new home and a new identity poses a danger,” the president said, adding “Lebanese diaspora…you might be absent from Lebanon physically, but not in its heart.”

The decree was signed following Aoun’s keynote speech at the conference.

The parliament adopted in November 2015 a law that sets the conditions for Lebanese expats to reclaim the citizenship.