Service Passports to Resolve Problem of Officials with Missions Abroad
Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour said Thursday he would soon issue a “Service Passport” which would be used by its holder for a specific official mission abroad.
Mansour told An Nahar daily the passport would be given to officials with special missions in other countries on condition that they hand over the document to the ministry upon their return to Lebanon.
The minister’s remarks came after the newspaper said Monday authorities were receiving complaints that Special Passports were being granted to people not entitled to get them in contravention with the 1961 Vienna Convention that regulates diplomatic relations.
An Nahar said that Special Passports, which are restricted to ministers, current and former lawmakers and directors-general, were being granted to high-ranking military personnel, judges, advisors of ministers and even some journalists and clergymen.
President Michel Suleiman discussed the issue with Mansour upon the minister’s return from a visit to Moscow on Wednesday.
Mansour also held a telephone conversation with Speaker Nabih Berri who according to An Nahar had stirred the issue with Suleiman and Premier Najib Miqati lately.
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