Geagea: Developments of Syria, Iraq Cannot Be Replicated in Lebanon
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused some political powers of intimidating Christians in Lebanon with the threat of Islamist movements in the region, reported the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat on Saturday.
He told the daily: “The LF has been seeking in recent weeks to reassure the people of the contrary. The developments in Syria and Iraq cannot be replicated in Lebanon for several reasons.”
He did not elaborate on the matter, but added that people have been receptive of the LF's assurances.
“Who said that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is seeking to spread to Lebanon or that it is capable of doing so?” he wondered.
“It will meet their grave should it come here,” declared Geagea.
He lamented however that some Christian sides are working on fueling fears, hoping that the parliamentary elections would be held in order to determine whose side Christians really support.
Moreover, he remarked that ISIL forces would advance on Lebanon from the eastern mountain range should they decide to attack the country, “so why haven't the borders with Syria been properly controlled?”
Several countries have proposed to help the Lebanese army control the Lebanese-Syrian border, “so why haven't we accepted these initiatives?” he asked.
He noted that it takes five soldiers to monitor every ten kilometers of the border, “which the army is easily capable of doing, so why hasn't this happened?”
Geagea accused Hizbullah of seeking to keep the border undemarcated so it would continue to be able to cross into Syria and fight alongside the country's regime uninhibited.
Clashes broke out on August 2 between the army and Islamist militants from Syria in the northeastern border town of Arsal.
Several soldiers were killed and wounded in the unrest.
A ceasefire was reached in the area on August 7.
The development raised concerns that the extremism sweeping Iraq and Syria could spread to Lebanon.
Several officials had been calling for better control of the border with Syria in order to curb the flow of refugees, whose numbers have exceeded 1.1 million, according to the U.N.
The Change and Reform bloc warned on Tuesday that extremists “are hiding under the guise of the refugees,” warning further of the spread of extremism to Lebanon.
M.T.
D.A.
23 August 2014, 10:40
20
I just came here to read the comments...
http://memecrunch.com/meme/3GJG6/i-just-came-here-to-read-the-comments/image.png
23 August 2014, 12:14
21
In this country greed and envy among the so called leaders is sickening; by their doing, the majority of the population lives on the edge of poverty, while they in their ivory towers arguing hoe gets the biggest piece of the pie.
It seems that Kissinger once said Lebanon independence was a mistake in the history, through their attitude and behaviour one might think that Kissinger was right.
23 August 2014, 13:07
50
hey WHY naharnet remove my comment?????????? it wasn't abusive or anything...im gonna type it again.
23 August 2014, 13:41
31
you see ISIL as terrorists, they see you and HA as terrorists, we see you both as terrorists.
23 August 2014, 14:03
12
Who is this nobody... - i mean democratically speaking ...for legal matters he is really, really somebody - who is not afraid to be made fun of ?
23 August 2014, 16:29
02
would like to recall the history, what is happening in Lebanon is the colonial French vaccine, called the attempts to strengthen the fundamental principle of state, unite Christian community, actually, consolidate the power of the community. Keep the dialog inside the public institutions
23 August 2014, 17:00
30
In your opinion they are. To many others they are iranian mercenaries and are considered so by the whole world.
23 August 2014, 18:16
11
would like to recall the history, what is happening in Lebanon is the colonial French vaccine, called the attempts to strengthen the fundamental principle of state, unite Christian community, actually, consolidate the power of the community. Keep the dialog inside the public institutions
24 August 2014, 10:51
00
My family and I want to thank you Flamethrower for your thoughtful and well thought of comments. You are unique and educational.. We decided not to read the morning papers anymore but instead read your daily comments.
24 August 2014, 16:18
00
parraeels or how you may pronounce your wtf name you are using: the christian of Lebanon those who does not side with terrorists (HA) have proven that when its needed they can stand up and defend -even you - sissy against the barbarian herds from the inferior regimes surrounding Lebanon.
Now if the Hakim is saying so... open your ears or adjust the volume of your hearing aid .. listen and shut up. And next time you want to speak about the Hakim, dont forget to wash your mouth with a revolver... loser...
