Old 'groom' marries 12-year-old, receives horrifying praise

When a man old enough to be a grandfather, allegedly got married to a 12-year-old, there were stark reactions from people who happened to be upon the scene on a street in Lebanon. 

When people passed by the child bride and her grey-haired groom as the 'couple' were busy posing for photographs near the seaside, people actually stopped by - some to offer congratulations, others to berate the man for daring to take up a child bride.

The little 'bride' was enveloped in a white gown and veil, which seemed too big for her small size.

While the video was just a stunt by a charity group called KAFA, to highlight the issue of underage weddings in Lebanon, the mixed reaction from the people was a revelation.

One man threatened to overthrow the groom into the nearby sea. While another asked him: 'Is she yours? Congratulations'.

A few passersby asked the girl if she really wanted to marry the old man.

Even the man playing the part of wedding photographer was criticised, reports Yahoo Australia.

Last year AFP reported that the government in Lebanon was trying to wrest control of marriage laws from powerful religious sects.

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