"So we started calling for the establishment of a 'personal status law' to protect these rights, " she added.

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According to Article 39 of the Law of Personal Status for the Catholic communities (Syrians and Lebanese), spouses may each keep ownership of movable and immovable properties.

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One-third or more of the 800, 000-odd immigrants from the ex-Soviet Union are not considered fully Jewish under the Orthodox interpretation of Jewish law which is the law of the land in matters of personal status.

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But Lebanon's religious courts -- the judicial authorities presiding over each of the country's faith communities, with jurisdiction over matters of "personal status, " including marriage problems -- have criticized the proposed law as an attempt to erode their authority.

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From the material furnished we conclude that the personal status of a Syrian couple residing in Morocco does not fall under the jurisdiction of Moroccan law.

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