The following information was provided during a 9 November 1998 telephone interview with a Lebanese lawyer who specializes in citizenship cases in Lebanon and who wrote a book on the subject called "La Nationalité Libanaise."

The lawyer stated that according to Lebanese law a father automatically transmit his Lebanese citizenship to his children, whether a son or a daughter. The issue of registration of one's Lebanese citizenship in a Lebanese Embassy is irrelevant to the children's right to Lebanese citizenship. It is a right recognized in the Constitution.

The lawyer added that a grandfather cannot directly transmit his Lebanese citizenship to his grandson. However, if the son of the grandfather is a Lebanese citizen, the grandson is automatically a Lebanese citizen, whether or not he was registered at the Embassy of Lebanon in Mexico. It would only be an administrative formality.

For additional information on the acquisition of Lebanese citizenship, please consult LBN27535.E of 22 August 1997.

The lawyer was of the opinion that a Christian of Lebanese descent from Mexico would have difficulties resettling in Lebanon.

The following information was provided during a 6 November 1998 telephone interview with the Director of the Centre For Lebanese Studies in Oxford, England. The Centre has published a study on the Lebanese community abroad, including Mexico.

The Director stated that a Christian of Lebanese descent from Mexico would not have problems to resettling to Lebanon.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Citizenship lawyer, Beirut, Lebanon. 9 November 1998. Telephone interview.

Director, Centre for Lebanese Studies, Oxford, England. 6 November 1998. Telephone interview.