Lack of Funding Threatens to Stop  Voting of Lebanese Expatriates

The level of concern about canceling the participation of Lebanese expatriates in the elections has risen, especially with the increase in administrative and logistical problems a month before the polling date scheduled for next May 15, due to the strike of directors of administrative units in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry has ceased to pay the salaries of ambassadors and consuls accredited abroad who receive their salaries in the hard currency, other than the financial default to pay the costs of running the operation.

On his part, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdullah Bouhabib questioned the possibility of organizing elections for expatriates.

He said in a statement last Saturday that there are 225 thousand voters, and we need to send delegates abroad, whether diplomats or employees, and we have to pay travel cards in hard currency, and their stay there in dollars.

"This operation has its costs and there are no dollars in the treasury," he added.