"An American citizen, who works as an immigration lawyer, was subjected to 'injustice and humiliation' by a General Security officer at Beirut Airport. The lawyer addressed a letter to the American Embassy in Beirut; a complaint against the Lebanese government for the 'mistreatment and lack of respect' he faced at Beirut Airport, demanding necessary actions to be taken."

"In detail, Sam Badawi, a prominent immigration lawyer, was on a tourist visit to Lebanon with his family. He entered with his American passport without facing any issues. However, when departing from Lebanon on July 1 at 6 AM, the General Security officer asked him to present a Syrian ID or registration document because Sam was born in Syria but emigrated at the age of six and never returned back. He holds an U.S. citizenship and entered Lebanon as an American citizen. Despite this, they insisted and took him to the officer's office, who bluntly told him, 'We have a problem with you, and you can't leave. We need your Syrian official documents!' Badawi explained that he was a lawyer and had entered the country normally, but the officer replied that it didn't concern him. The officer then asked him to send his wife and children ahead while he remained at the airport to secure the registration document or his Syrian official documents under the pretext of law enforcement."

The lawyer asked the mentioned officer, "Why did you let me enter the country as an American if the law prohibits it?" The officer's reply was, "It wasn't me, it's not my concern," as if the laws change according to the shifts and moods of the General Security officers. Moreover, he was prevented from contacting the American embassy and was treated with disrespect and mockery. His wife and children felt scared and cried a lot.

The American citizen considered "this incident is an absolute violation of dignity and respect, which should be afforded to all U.S. citizens. It is also a disrespectful act towards the United States and its citizens. Furthermore, it is a direct violation of the principle of reciprocity, international relations, and treaties between the U.S. State Department and the Lebanese government."

Mr. Badawi stated in his message that "the actions of the Lebanese authorities in this matter amount to treating American citizens as third-class individuals, undermining the status and protection their citizenship provides. This is an unacceptable violation of international norms and the principles of mutual respect between sovereign states."

"We ask the Director General of General Security, Major General Elias Baysari, known for his patriotism and commitment to law enforcement, to investigate this incident and take the necessary actions. We will later publish the response of the American Embassy in Beirut to the complaint."