Geagea Lashes Out at Security Forces over USJ Standoff, Says Officials 'Destroying' the State

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea criticized security forces' behavior during Monday's standoff at Universite Saint Joseph in the Beirut neighborhood of Huvelin, accusing Lebanese officials of “destroying the state.”

"Despite the presence of security forces since 11:00 am, the situation did not change until 4:00 in the afternoon when reinforcements were brought,” Geagea said at a press conference he held to comment on USJ's events.

“Is it possible that security forces that were present at the scene did not take any immediate step?” he asked addressing caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel.

The LF leader continued: “How can they refrain from acting just to avoid a standoff against Hizbullah? How can Charbel justify the security forces not asking Hizbullah supporters to leave although they were violating the laws?”

“How could Lebanese citizens believe in the state after this?”

Geagea lashed out at officials in power, accusing them of “destroying the state.”

He said: “Those in power are marginalizing the state and destroying it with their behavior.”

“What happened today is a big deal. There is a plan to take over Lebanon so do not bring up the issue of national dialogue,” Geagea stated.

The Christian leader called on USJ's administration to open a probe in the incident.

“We demand the General Prosecution to ask security bodies about the names of the protesters and prosecute them,” he added,

“It is not acceptable for Hizbullah students at the USJ to ask party supporters that are not enrolled at the university to join them in their actions just because March 14 won the elections,” he commented.

Earlier on Monday, media reports said that the tensions at USJ were as a result of Hizbullah students' protests against recent student elections.

They said that the students had surrounded the USJ campus at Huvelin neighborhood, resulting in a stand off with rival March 14 students that could have escalated into a clash had it not been for the intervention of security forces and the army.