Kataeb Says Naturalization Warnings May be Aimed at 'Deviating Attention' from Presidency

The Kataeb Party warned Tuesday against any attempt to “deviate attention from the obstructed presidential vote” by “stirring sensitive issues such as national partnership and naturalization, regardless of their importance.”

“The right step to face such schemes, which have started to surface, would be through electing a president rather than preventing the parliament from electing a Christian president,” said the party in a statement issued after its politburo's weekly meeting.

“The Christian president, who is a main pillar for national partnership, would be the first constitutional bulwark in the face of any new naturalization attempt,” Kataeb added.

It was referring to remarks voiced Saturday by Foreign Minister and Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil, who warned that there are indirect efforts to naturalize Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Bassil stressed during a press conference that Lebanon must “adopt unilateral and sovereign steps, otherwise naturalization will be imposed on us.”

“I know that some politicians have remained silent over this issue for political and sectarian interests. Some officials want to naturalize the refugees in order to gain a sectarian upper hand in elections,” he claimed.

He also rejected claims that resolving the presidential vacuum will end the refugee crisis.

“This problem existed prior to 2014,” he told reporters.

Y.R.