Nationality and Cases of Statelessness in the Middle East and North Africa husband”.151 Nevertheless, in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan and Qatar, it is possible to voluntarily renounce nationality even where statelessness results.152 3.3.2. Loss or deprivation of nationality Nationality can also be withdrawn without a request by or even the consent of the individual concerned. Technically, this can happen in two ways. Firstly, it may be the direct and automatic consequence of particular circumstances arising – for instance, absence from the state for a defined period of time – which are outlined in the law as grounds for the loss of nationality. In such cases, the nationality of the person lapses, ex lege, without any intervention by the state. Secondly, the law may delineate certain circumstances in which the state is empowered to deprive a person of nationality. In these instances, nationality is only withdrawn if and when the state actually takes the decision to strip a person of nationality in accordance with one of these provisions. Often it is within the authorities’ discretion to determine 151 - Emphasis added, article 6. Note that Lebanon also provides for the automatic lapse of nationality where a Lebanese national voluntarily acquires a new nationality (article 8). 152 - In Algeria, this is also possible in the following specific circumstance: where nationality was acquired by a child through the naturalisation of his or her parent. In such cases, the child can renounce Algerian nationality within 2 years after attaining the age of majority, even if this leads to statelessness (articles 18(4) and 17(2)). See further Table 4. 116