BEIRUT: Activists in support of legalizing civil marriage in Lebanon called on Lebanese over the weekend to participate in a demonstration Monday over the controversial subject.

Independent activists said in a statement Saturday the protest would be held at 4 p.m. at Martyrs Square in Downtown Beirut.

The protesters will call for a civil law that ensures the rights of citizens and allows for civil marriage in the country.

The controversy over the legalization of civil marriage was renewed earlier this month when President Michel Sleiman voiced his support for its adoption, saying the Constitution guaranteed it as a civil right.

Sleiman proclaimed his support days after Kholoud Succariyeh and Nidal Darwish announced they had wed as a secular couple and were awaiting the Interior Ministry’s formal recognition of their marriage document.

Religious leaders are split on the issue of civil marriage in Lebanon.