Frem Office replies to Kanbour allegations

June 6, 2018

To Mr. Michel Kanbour the webmaster of Lebanon Debate’s website,

You published today an article signed by your site under the title "Naturalization Decree ... A deal for Neemat Frem or a slap?” which carries many inaccuracies of facts, in addition to offensive references against the deputy. Accordingly, Frem’s office is interested in clarifying and correcting the following:

First: MP Neemat Frem was the first to address the issue of Naturalization on 2 TV Stations, clearly and explicitly and without shame, contrary to what you mentioned in the article. We invite you as a journalist to revise it and realize your wrong judgment.

Second: Later, his position was discussed daily through various written and audio-visual media, positively, by quoting and analyzing, except for your site, awkwardly. Here, we also invite you to review the archives of the past few days only, maybe you realize your errors and you correct them.

Third: The Maronite Foundation "is concerned with assisting in the restoration of Lebanese nationality in accordance with administrative principles." This is the position. The institution did not ask anyone to naturalize people as it is published, but met the demand to submit files to eligible persons, noting that MP Frem considers that the basis for the restoration of nationality is the bond of blood.

Fourthly: The Foundation stated clearly that it "has nothing to do with the names of the various nationalities that are mentioned through the media, and is waiting for the issuance of the final official list to take action as needed." Here we re-invite you to review the various media so you figure out the position of the institution.

Fifth: Any of the opponents of the Naturalization Decree didn’t ask if Frem was even involved in a deal at all?! What is mentioned in the article is a lie. This is not the first time that MP Frem has been wrongfully assaulted, led to libel and defamation by you. It is a warning for you personally and for your website Mr. Kanbour, to necessarily have an honest behavior through constructive media and under the law.

Sixth: People of Keserwan built their trust in the former MP Frem, past and present, on a solid and firm foundations, we assure you, they don’t need a lesson from no one, not in trust issue or other issues.

In conclusion, we ask you to fully publish this response in accordance with the enforced laws and due process, while adhering to all rights protected by the law.

With restraint".