Lebanon Denies Approving Nudist Beaches, Gay Rights Group
18.6.2006
Interior Minister Ahmed Fatfat denied charges by
conservative Muslim clerics that the government had approved a gay rights
group as well as nudist beaches at two Christian resorts.
"Contrary to what has been alleged in sermons in
the mosques, we have authorized neither the Helem (Dream) Association nor
the opening of nudist beaches at Jounieh and Jbeil (Byblos)," the minister
said Saturday.
"These reports manufactured by certain preachers
and a section of the press are without foundation," he added.
Homosexuality remains outlawed in Lebanon as an
offence "against nature" and carries a jail term of six months to a year.
But in the year since it began operation, the
Helem Association said it had noticed an easing of the attitude of sections
of the police, judiciary and press towards its campaign for
decriminalization.
A petition seeking prosecution of the gay rights
group filed by a Beirut city councilor earlier this year was rejected by the
attorney general's office, which ruled that the group's operation of an
office and a website did not constitute an offence.(AFP)
Join now to our Yahoo Group.
