Alayan to moqawama.org: UAE embassy Refused Deported Lebanese Petition

Local Editor

Lebanese citizens conducted a protest in front of the UAE embassy Wednesday morning, in an attempt to deliver a petition signed by Lebanese expatriates who were expelled from the United Arab Emirates, but the embassy refused to receive the petition stating that a protocol states such petitions should be delivered to the Foreign Embassy.

Hassan Alayan, a spokesman for the group that was expelled from UAE, told moqawama.org today that the "protocol issue" is only a pretext so that the embassy can save its face. "No embassy is unable to receive a petition from citizens, this is only a pretext" He said.

He stated that the next step is going to be a tough one, "We intend to start an open sit in until our demands are met. We will be holding a press conference through which we will declare further information."

On the Lebanese part, Alayan said there has been no support so far other than sweet talk and promises from different Lebanese politicians and personals, "there is complete absence of the Lebanese government and officials." He reiterated.

In October 2009, hundreds of Lebanese were summoned by the security services in the UAE before being expelled and were asked to spy on fellow Lebanese in the Emirates as well as Hizbullah members or face deportation.