History of civil marriage in Lebanon.

Lebanon, 19-01-1998: Knowing that it will not be easy and that it could take years before his proposal is approved, President Elias Hrawi is nevertheless determined to introduce civil marriage to Lebanese society.According to Hrawi, a Maronite Christian, introducing civil marriage would be a "first step on the way of eliminating sectarianism in Lebanon."A draft law to institute voluntary civil marriage will be submitted to Lebanon's council of ministers for debate and a vote, he has said without specifying a time frame.Inter-religious marriage cannot be performed in Lebanon. People of different faiths who wish to marry without one of them having to convert have to travel to places abroad, such as neighboring Cyprus, in order to do so.But in a country with 18 officially-recognized sects and a deep-rooted sectarian system, such a proposal is almost certain to cause an uproar and anger many.While Hrawi's proposal is supported by the younger generation in Lebanon, Muslim and Christian clergymen have repeatedly registered their displeasure, claiming civil marriages would serve to disintegrate traditional close family ties and threaten the foundations of matrimony.Others have argued that there is no such thing as "voluntary" civil marriage. "It's like giving children the choice to go outside and play during study hours at school," said one Muslim Sheikh. "They would all end up in the playground."The Shiite Muslim Hizbullah guerrilla group has also joined in the discussion. A party official, Sheikh Naim Kassem, said Hizbullah was against civil marriage, adding that it would "lead to further decay of moral ethics among Lebanon's youth."But the president is not discouraged. Hrawi's visitors over the weekend quoted him as saying he was determined to submit the draft bill for introducing civil marriage, even if it is not approved during his term in office, which ends in October this year.

Lebanon, 7-02-1998: Lebanese President Elias Hrawi presented the civil marriage project for discussion despite strong opposition from various quarters.President Hrawi considers this project his top priority, which he will strongly defend, despite his knowledge of all the political obstacles which stand in its way.Muslim and Christian leaders alike oppose such a law. Lebanese Mufti Mohammed Rashid Qabbani rejected it, and the chairman of the higher Shiite council urged the government to leave what is for god to god and what is for people to people.The Maronite Patriarch also opposed civil marriage unless approved by the Muslims.

Lebanon, 19-03-1998: Last night, the Lebanese cabinet voted on the optional civil marriage bill originally proposed by President Elias Al-Hrawi. But the bill still needs further discussions in cabinet and the approval of parliament before it becomes law. The law would let the Lebanese choose civil marriage ceremonies instead of only religious ones. Currently, if a Lebanese couple of mixed religious backgrounds who want to get married refuse to convert, they were forced to marry outside the country. President Hrawi had argued the law would serve in putting an end to political sectarianism in Lebanon.
The President also sent a letter to House Speaker Nabih Berri to form a higher national committee for abolishing political sectarianism.