Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil said each country has the duty to prioritize its citizens in terms of job vacancies.
During the conference on effective diplomacy, he noted “all the countries, including Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, distinguish their people from others through laws, and this is not racism, so when you protect your people’s rights, you are loyal to your nation,” stressing that this was what he meant.
“The Lebanese nationals working in other countries abide by the laws of those countries, chief among these countries is Saudi Arabia, where a large Lebanese community resides and respect the laws of the kingdom,” he said, reiterating that it is Lebanon’s duty to protect the community.
On another note, Bassil explained that the honorary consul is not a public sector employee, but has duties towards the administration, the people and the country assigned to it. He added that the honorary consul follows the instruction of the Foreign Ministry and does not receive any salary form the state.