“My Nationality Is My Dignity” Campaign organized Sunday a sit-in in Beirut’s Riad al-Solh Square as a response to Foreign Affairs Minister Gebran Bassil’s “racism,” as described by the campaigners.
The protesters denounced Bassil’s speech, which included his approval of a law that grants Lebanese women the right to pass their citizenship on to their children and spouses so long as they are not Syrians or Palestinians.
The FM described his remarks, which were made last week in New York, as "a matter of safeguarding our land."
“We are used to the racism of Lebanese politicians, however when this discrimination is taken to international forums, that is what shocked us,” campaign coordinator Mustafa al-Shaar said.
Lebanon is home to more than one million registered Syrian refugees -- equal to about a quarter of the country's 4.5 million people.
It's the highest refugee population in the world per capita.