BEIRUT: The president of the World Lebanese Cultural Union (WLCU) Eid Shadrawi arrived in Lebanon Thursday shortly after his election as the new president of the union, in Mexico. Shadrawi said his main objective was to promote cultural activities, adding that the organization would also examine the needs of the Lebanese diaspora in terms of obtaining nationality and the right to vote in the upcoming 2013 parliamentary elections. He also commented on the recent division inside the organization, saying he aimed to reunite the WLCU and hoped next year would see this goal achieved. Shadrawi stressed the important role the diaspora played in aiding Lebanon, stating that Lebanese abroad transferred $6 billion a year to their homeland; a trend that his group was engaged in encouraging. “We have projects planned with large investors who should hopefully come to Lebanon next March,” he said, adding that unstable security conditions were also discouraging would-be investors. – The Daily Star