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BEIRUT: President Sleiman Wednesday encouraged Lebanese Australians to submit their names to the civil registry in anticipation of the approval of a draft law that would allow Lebanese expatriates to apply for dual citizenship.

In Australia on an official visit, Sleiman said that the draft law, which Cabinet approved late last year, has been submitted to Parliament and will be approved soon.

He spoke at a meeting of the Lebanese community in Sydney.

The law would allow Lebanese expatriates who were born abroad and only hold the citizenship of the countries where they were born to apply for Lebanese citizenship. Calling Lebanese expatriates the oxygen of Lebanon, he said they should have preferential opportunities to invest in Lebanon, and urged the diaspora to not give up Lebanese land, for it is precious. Build your home on it.

Sleiman said diaspora citizenship was important to support Lebanon and reinforce its strength through the expatriates who are spread across the world.

In addition to discussing developments in Syria and the region, Sleiman said that the most important project for Lebanon is to develop a modern electoral law that will represent all Lebanese fully, and will ensure the right of expatriates to vote.

The president also met with Marie Bashir, the governor of New South Wales, who is of Lebanese descent.

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Sleiman urges Lebanese expats to prepare for dual citizenship