Beirut - Nazeer Rida

A controversial naturalization decree signed by Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun opened a wide door for criticism by political forces that announced that they would challenge it as soon as it is published in the Official Gazette.

Sources close to Aoun saw the campaigns as “politically targeted”, noting that all former presidents have signed similar decrees for individuals, without posing any risk to the Lebanese entity.

While the concerned officials have until now kept silence over the details of the naturalization decree, available information on the number of those naturalized varied, ranging from 258 to 400 with different nationalities including Palestinians and Syrians, in addition to other Arab and foreign nationalities.

On Friday, MP Nadim Gemayel published information on 52 persons included in the decree, some of whom were Palestinians. He also revealed that another decree to naturalize Syrian and Palestinian families was under preparation.

“This is a preparation for a settlement project, which is unacceptable,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Forces (LF) and the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) announced they would challenge the decree before the Constitutional Council, immediately after it is published in the Official Gazette.

Member of the Powerful Republic bloc MP Wehbeh Qatisha, described the naturalization of some 400 people at the beginning of Aoun’s term as “dangerous and intolerable.” He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the LF would challenge it “because it is illegal and unconstitutional.”

The Democratic Gathering bloc, headed by MP Taymour Jumblatt, also announced that it was preparing to challenge the decree. The bloc questioned “the criteria adopted for the granting of Lebanese nationality to the persons listed in the decree and the basis of the decision-making.”

In response, a parliamentary source said that the anti-decree campaign had political targets.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the source said: “Those, who target the president behind the decree… are facing the demands for a safe return of the Syrians to their country and they are trying to harm the image of the president.”

Former President Michel Sleiman signed a decree to naturalize more than 600 people.

“Most presidents have signed naturalization decrees for small groups or individuals, a right that the law grants to the president,” well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.