On the positive side, the article encourages investment in Lebanon by encouraging the acquisition of apartments, thus boosting the real estate market. In my humble opinion, there is no fear of foreign ownership as long as sales are limited to apartments and not large plots of land. “This article has been amended for the better, after granting permanent residence, it now grants only temporary residence,” says MP Ibrahim Kanaan. “And it does not contradict the law on the foreign acquisition, nor are foreigners able to acquire through it in violation of the law on foreign acquisition of property.” The current acquisition law governs the implementation of the controversial Article 50 and was unanimously adopted by Parliament. Residency permits in Lebanon do not confer the right to nationality. All workers receive residence and work permits that are renewed periodically, but they do not offer any legal advantage for temporary residents to be granted nationality and they have nothing to do with resettlement.

On the negative side, there are fears that the Syrian government may deny the rights of its citizens who fled the country or opposed the regime, not allowing them to return, which would make their stay in Lebanon permanent, even if they do not get citizenship. This is a violation of Lebanon’s fragile composition.

However, this debate should not reflect on the treatment of Syrians, or any other foreigner for that matter, because it’s a slippery slope towards reprehensible racism, which should be avoided to preserve the Lebanon that we wish to preserve.