“Given that a law pertaining to the optional civil marriage has not yet been issued in Lebanon, and under the current legislation, the stipulations of which conflict with the 'civil marriage contracts' that are being done in Lebanon before a notary public, therefore, the concerned parties are requested to review with the competent civil courts the legality of these contracts,” a statement issued by the same bureau explained on Monday (February 02).
The statement added that the contracts must be backed by the opinion of the legislation and consultation committee, so that the civil courts may issue the appropriate legal decisions prior to referring them to the General Directorate of Personal Status where the necessary legal action will be made.
The Interior Ministry pointed out that in the absence of an effective legal civil text that supports civil marriage, it is impossible to register civil marriage contracts signed before a notary public in Lebanon, thus, making it necessary to draft an optional civil marriage law.