Geagea: Al-Rahi's Stance on Syria Endangers All Christians in Region
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Monday slammed Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi’s stances on the Syrian crisis, saying his remarks “put all the Christians in the region in danger.”
“I can’t hide the fact that his statements had infuriated me, as they support the regime and contradict with our entire history and I cannot be proud of this rhetoric,” Geagea said in an interview on MTV.
“Doesn’t Patriarch al-Rahi know that the majority of Christians are against the Syrian regime? What regime is more hardline than the Syrian regime? What regime has committed only 1% of the Syrian regime’s acts against us? It is illogical to support a killer regime?” Geagea added.
He stressed that 90 percent of the region’s population cannot be “mistaken,” wondering how to describe Lebanon “if Syria is the closest country to a democratic system.”
The LF leader called on the patriarch to “quickly act in order to clarify Bkirki’s stance.”
“It is distressing that Bkirki’s position has changed,” he lamented.
“Is it reasonable for the patriarch of the Maronites to be like (Arab Tawhid Party leader) Wiam Wahhab, (Lebanon’s Baath Party leader) Fayez Shukur, Russia and China? How can we justify this position?” Geagea wondered, comparing al-Rahi to Syria’s allies in Lebanon and the world.
“My basic stance on the Syrian revolution is that I am against a dictatorial regime and with a people demanding freedom and I’m sad for the patriarch, his position, his image and the image of the church, as what will we tell the upcoming generations? Should we tell them that the patriarch backed the regime?” Geagea went on to say.
Asked whether the “Cedar Revolution” set an example for the Arab Spring, Geagea said: “The Syrian people saw how the Lebanese people defeated the Syrian army, so they seized the chance to stage their revolution with the coming of the Arab Spring.”
Asked about his recent trips to Qatar and Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, Geagea said: “It’s not the first time I visit Arab countries and my latest visit had nothing to do with reports suggesting that I’m seeking to become the next president.”
“My visit to Kurdistan had nothing to do with (Syrian National Council chief) Burhan Ghalioun’s visit which took place two days earlier,” Geagea added, noting that “there is no coordination with the (opposition) Syrian National Council.”
“Our stance is political and an act of solidarity,” he clarified.
Separately, Geagea stressed that “the Syrian revolution has not reached a dead end at all.”
“The Syrian forces’ storming of (the Homs neighborhood of) Baba Amr represented an
extra negative point against the regime,” he added.
“Demonstrations in Homs did not stop after the storming of Baba Amr and in my opinion the Syrian revolution cannot go backwards.”
Asked about the entry of Syrian gunmen to Lebanon, Geagea said: “We do not accept at all the entry of gunmen from Syria and should a gunman enter Lebanon he must hand over his weapon and we must treat him as a political refugee.”
“We must aid refugees according to the international standards, but it is wrong to describe them as infiltrators with all that is happening in Syria,” he said.
Slamming Premier Najib Miqati’s government over its domestic and regional policies, Geagea described it as “the worst and most unsuccessful government in Lebanon’s history.”
-
12 March 2012, 22:31
Geagea: The current government is the worst and most unsuccessful government in Lebanon’s history.
-
12 March 2012, 22:27
Geagea: We do not accept at all the entry of gunmen from Syria and should a gunman enter Lebanon he must hand over his weapon and we must treat him as a political refugee and we must aid refugees according to the international standards, but it is wrong to describe them as infiltrators with all that is happening in Syria.
-
12 March 2012, 22:16
Geagea: My basic stance on the Syrian revolution is that I am against a dictatorial regime and with a people demanding freedom and I’m sad for the patriarch, his position, his image and the image of the church, as what will we tell the upcoming generations? Should we tell them that the patriarch backed the regime?
-
12 March 2012, 22:12
Geagea: Is it reasonable for the patriarch of the Maronites to be like Wiam Wahhab, Fayez Shukur, Russia and China? How can we justify this position?
-
12 March 2012, 22:02
Geagea: It is distressing that Bkirki’s position has changed and Patriarch al-Rahi must quickly act in order to clarify Bkirki’s stance.
-
12 March 2012, 21:58
Geagea: Patriarch al-Rahi’s remarks put all the Christians in the region in danger and is it possible that 90% of the region’s population are mistaken? And if Syria is the closest country to a democratic system, what can we say about Lebanon?
-
12 March 2012, 21:56
Geagea: Doesn’t Patriarch al-Rahi know that the majority of Christians are against the Syrian regime? What regime is more hardline than the Syrian regime? What regime has committed only 1% of the Syrian regime’s acts against us? It is illogical to support a killer regime.
-
12 March 2012, 21:52
Geagea on al-Rahi’s remarks: I can’t hide the fact that his statements had infuriated me, as they support the regime and contradict with our entire history and I cannot be proud of this rhetoric.
-
12 March 2012, 21:46
Geagea: Demonstrations in Homs did not stop after the storming of Baba Amr and in my opinion the Syrian revolution cannot go backwards.
-
12 March 2012, 21:42
Geagea: The Syrian revolution has not reached a dead end at all and the Syrian forces' storming of Baba Amr represented an extra negative point against the regime.
-
12 March 2012, 21:40
Geagea: Shoving Lebanon in the policies of (regional) axes is something and what’s happening in Syria is something else, although some countries are trying to link the Syrian revolution to the policies of axes. What is happening is a real, major popular revolution and we have to shoulder our ethical responsibility away from politics.
-
12 March 2012, 21:39
Geagea: My visit to Kurdistan had nothing to do with Burhan Ghalioun’s visit which took place two days earlier. There is no coordination with the Syrian National Council and our stance is political and an act of solidarity.
-
12 March 2012, 21:36
Geagea: It’s not the first time I visit Arab countries and my latest visit had nothing to do with reports suggesting that I’m seeking to become the next president.
-
12 March 2012, 21:34
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in an interview on MTV: The Syrian people saw how the Lebanese people defeated the Syrian army, so they seized the chance to stage their revolution with the coming of the Arab Spring.
12 March 2012, 21:40
322
Allah yihmeek ya Hakeem...a true leader of Lebanon and our next president inshallah.
13 March 2012, 12:00
13
Doesn't that make him like Hassouni as well??? I do not see you having a problem with your turban leader making extremist remarks and planning an inslamic state in Lebanon?
So according to your logic ... anyone who is not in line with your Hassouni andwaiting for his orders like the retarted General ... is now either a Christian Extremist or a Salafi .... cool ... nice logic!
13 March 2012, 12:53
31
here we go again, going backwards to go forward. Hands up if you know any of these leaders we current have that doesn't have blood on their hands during the war.. I'm happy to follow the more dignified one not the most corrupt, unlike most of you who defend these guys for no logical reason. I'd even vote for hussouny if he truly had the best interest of lebanon at heart. And before you try to convince me otherwise..don't waste your time.
12 March 2012, 22:35
315
A man that symbolizes the lebanon we want! allah yikhalik ya rab
12 March 2012, 22:42
312
fakhamet el hakim sooner or later
bilad el arz already prevailing
12 March 2012, 22:44
512
good for him..telling it like it is...This Patriarch is alienating my Maronites...I for one...bring back Sfeir....what a HUGE mistake Rai was...wos....
12 March 2012, 22:45
414
wow, not wos:) Rai is the worst Patriarch in the history of the Maronite Patriarchate...the worst, in 1600 years...that says alot...
12 March 2012, 22:48
210
Freedom of speech, both DrDeagea and AlRahi have the right to speak their minds. In my opinion, religion should be dissociated from politics as it was in Europe centuries ago. It doesn't mean it cannot influence but in Lebanon and the entir middle east it's overwhelming. (Iran theocrats, Saudi-Arabia, etc...)
13 March 2012, 00:10
12
Bravo Geagea for saying the truth and standing for justice. Rai should re-consider his stance, but geagea towers over Nasrallah who is in the gutter with the trash for sending killers to murder innocent civilians. The whole world and especially the region knows what a thug he is.
Geagea for president all the way. Aoun will go crazy and finish his life in the asylum.
13 March 2012, 00:34
13
rouh ya hakim ma hadan 2adak
but you forgot the poor palestinians killed in gaza we must also defend them ma bissir 3aib
13 March 2012, 00:45
33
Perhaps its true that syria is black-mailing Rai with secret informatin that he does not want disclosed to the public due to his own shame. this seems to be the only logical reason he would defend the anti maronite regime in Syria that patriarch sfeir (and the vatican) so fervently opposed.
13 March 2012, 00:48
24
A man of calibre speaking words of caliber. Good to see, good to hear! It gives hope in time of hopelessness.
13 March 2012, 01:14
42
the syrian regime just issued a warrant to arrest the salafi leader Geagea along with his two lieutenants Mustapha Ghalayini and Allouchi
13 March 2012, 02:17
52
Lebanon, and especially the Christians, cannot afford this nut's miscalculations. He has always had the wrong ideas, the wrong alliances and the wrong predictions. Simply put, he is always wrong. He and the jerks with zero-intellect who stumble with him with the smile of a retard are free to commit suicide alone. Nobody will feel sorry for those who have not and will never learn.
13 March 2012, 13:06
22
absolutley correct..NOT. fact: if it wasn't for the LF you would all be wearing sandles and selling corn by the side of the street. This man is one of the few who has truly sacrificed himself for the betterment of his country. He could have left but chose to stay. Therefore I think if he has the conviction to challenge the status quoue then God Bless him he has my support..
13 March 2012, 14:48
02
where's the proof that they are intolerant? the only fanatics, intolerant fundamentalists we have in Lebanon who always invoke wilayet elfaqih are hizbollaat...
13 March 2012, 19:07
02
hizabala are also fund. intolerant fanatics who assasiante their political opponents starting with amal movement in the 80's , hariri 2005 and still going.
13 March 2012, 02:58
34
May the Lord bless you and protect you from all harm.
Of all politicians, you've paid your dues by spending time in prison.
No other politician can make the same argument.
May our Lord Jesus Christ be with you today and always!!
13 March 2012, 03:32
66
Don't forget Geagea's main objective is to rule over a canton
So if Christian syrian gets displaced from Syria, and Sunni extremist takes control of Syria and Lebanon, he think that will increase his chances to create his Christian canton to harbor the Christians of the middle east and he can then proclaim himself their ruler/protector
13 March 2012, 05:43
46
What a rich imagination. You claim that Geagea wants to to rule Canton whilst he doesn't even speak cantonese nor mandarin for that matter. Seriously, what do you smoke?
13 March 2012, 06:18
37
FYI
A canton is a political division of a county or territory - example Swiss cantons.
Go educate yourself before ridiculing yourself anymore.
13 March 2012, 12:11
02
ma ahbal men Rudes gheir hayda el txmex ... IT hink you both were born with several bones missing ... like a funny bone and a back bone ... Benzona cracks a joke and u r on him like he just swore at Iran or Syria!!! come on ... grow up and get some bones (I heard Aoun is distributing them free for his puppy followers .. yalla la722o 7alkon)
13 March 2012, 15:03
11
To halaktouna
If i critisize Geagea, that doesn't mean i love Aoun. I leave that equation to simple minded lebanese. For me, both of them don't deserve to be followed. Both of them don't serve their country.
13 March 2012, 19:09
01
mowaten.. a "racist" is the person who supports the butchering of Syrian muslims in homs, idlib, der3a just because they are not she3a, how about?
13 March 2012, 13:15
22
the sad truth is the muslim population in lebanon want lebanon as an islamic state, from the sunnis to shiaas and everyone in between. I have seen The late Rafic Hariri's speechs and Hussouny's both playing the same tune. It was created and always be a Christian state Geagea is the only one with the foresight to act on this. The other politicians just blow hot air and anyone else that helps keep them in power.
13 March 2012, 03:37
12
http://www.parismatch.com/Actu-Match/Monde/Actu/Le-Patriarche-Bechara-Pierre-Rai-Democratie-et-theocratie-sont-comme-la-neige-et-le-feu-382152/
still ill-informed our patriarch he should read the new 2012 Constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic,
Article 3
1. The President has to be part of the Muslim faith.
2. Islamic jurisprudence doctrine is a primary source of legislation.
13 March 2012, 05:38
35
Rahi, unfortunately has neither the political experience nor the wisdom to see through what is happening in syria and the arab world. He must understand that the repressive baathi regimes has used the minorties to its advantage and Rahi is falling in this trap. He should follow in the steps of Sfier who had the courage and the wisdom to seek what is good for Lebanon. We definitely miss his leadership in this time of crisis. Rahi is becoming sousou frangieh and the mad general little man. Need a change ASAP.
13 March 2012, 06:02
12
Geagea is speaking the truth, of all the politicians he has been making most sense.
13 March 2012, 13:07
20
thats exactly what we dont need - a facist speaking his truth, and brain constiapted muppets hailing him
13 March 2012, 06:27
45
and once again your comments prove you are a racist.
it is not the above comments that are bling, it is you sight that is blocked so much that you do not see beyond your nose.
13 March 2012, 11:31
23
go educate yourself before you say things you do not even understand or rather do not want to understand.
you are one of those who labelled me a racist when I said a fact that is nearly all criminal activities these days are done by shias :)
13 March 2012, 09:00
24
Congratulations, the lowest rated comments ever.
How's that project working out where you admitted to spreading pro-Iranian and pro-Syrian propaganda in your effort to make this website "more pro-M8"?
Seems like it's not working out too well.
13 March 2012, 10:49
52
Spreading butter on your buttocks, you retard. Even if I agree with anyone, I don't vote. And I found out FT the cheap bastard, never voted for me. So I have to agree with FT on his following remark.
13 March 2012, 09:10
63
Although I never spoke badly of batrak Sfeir, I disagreed with some of his comments and positions. If you dared speak out against the politics of batrak Sfeir, the LF would go crazy, proclaiming the batrak is untouchable and it was disrespectful. How times have changed for the hakim's followers.
13 March 2012, 13:14
24
yeah we saw how much FPM respect Sfeir :0 we all have good memory here unllike you apparently, or you are too young to know :)
14 March 2012, 13:35
01
1989 pro aoun supports vandalising bkirki and asulting the Patriach. I would hate to see you guys when you are not respectful. perhaps being the cause of 2000 christian deaths, leaving your familys and running away, i can go on.
13 March 2012, 09:10
17
I used to hate Geagea...before he went to jail... did he say or do anything wrong since he got out?
13 March 2012, 10:22
82
He still talks. Leader who is a total failure should resign himself. But this is the best of the christian intellects.
13 March 2012, 14:18
03
I think FT, mowaten, jc and habal amal compete for the first idiotic spot...lol
13 March 2012, 09:13
35
it is funny how M8 guys always comment besides the point :)
have you noticed they never comment on the substance? are they blind or so stupid not to understand what are the points?
personally I welcome the comments of geagea as they show moderation and statesmanship in these troubled days, as well as common sense.
unfortunately, there will be commentators that will have nothing else to say but insults instead of really commenting on the substance.
wait maybe they know deep inside that what he is saying is true, thus they have nothing else to say? :)
13 March 2012, 12:43
23
more insults as usual :) that is your way of life: ONCE thug always a THUG :)
13 March 2012, 12:40
24
I'm tired of you condescendant tone Flame, and your insults to all that don't agree with your 2 cents theories! Go get a life now!
13 March 2012, 10:51
22
can u stoop any lower ? have some class man , what are u 13 years old ?
13 March 2012, 11:02
25
The batrak is supporting the same people that expelled two of the main Christian leaders in Lebanon, imprisoned another and set up two puppet presidencies (Lahoud and Hrawi) that made a mockery of the highest Christian position in the country. Not to mention they killed more Christians than all the muslim militias in the Lebanese war combined...
I can see how much he cares about defending Christians.
13 March 2012, 16:26
13
@Mowaten and his group of disoriented blind fellows:
now that israel has tested its anti rocket shield successfully in gaza, hold on to your shoes :) because you will be running in all directions soon.:)
but no one will receive you anymore.....
13 March 2012, 12:01
64
Well with all do respect Mr. President I don't think your primary goal right now or never been the Christians' welfare...I beleive that Al-Rahi's regional vision is something that all we should reflect upon & must be taken into serious consideration.
13 March 2012, 12:25
34
Unfortunately that's where Aoun has claimed presidency already ... he represents the majority of Martians as well ... he might send Bassil there to be president
13 March 2012, 15:05
21
To halaktouna
If i critisize Geagea, that doesn't mean i love Aoun. I leave that equation to simple minded lebanese. For me, both of them don't deserve to be followed. Both of them don't serve their country.
13 March 2012, 12:55
30
This Hakim is the worst leader for Lebanese forces ever they had, when he had the chances failed and gave up their power for personal political gains, who is talking the war criminal who came out of jail recently. Again what I know he is not the head of the Maronite church, I guess he need to leave alone the church.
13 March 2012, 13:20
42
flamethrower you are full of hot air, please explain what that comment means,you obviously are a couch commentator never lived in the war or understand what really happened do you?
13 March 2012, 14:15
00
GOd bless you geagea! allah yehmik! you're a true leader, exactly the opposite of what aoun is! a man that took our votes in 2005, went against his "fully-supported" 1559, and is currently part of a camp that fully supports the syrian regime and the most extreme party in lebanon- hezbollah! i was a previous supporter of aoun and his politics, but now realize what a lunatic he is, a 78 year old man who no longer knows what he's saying!
we will fight for our rights! Lebanese Forces fully represent us and the Christians in the region!
13 March 2012, 14:15
04
M8rs like blower, mowaten, Habal amal etc.....don't have an argument..just insults and unfounded accusations....very cheap standards..no wonder they love little general Aoun and big mouth Hassouna lol
13 March 2012, 14:24
25
Lebanon is sill a democracy so here it is again:
Allah yihmeek ya Hakeem...a true leader of Lebanon and our next president inshallah.
13 March 2012, 14:50
10
So now Lord Samir Moukhashkhash comes to us with another one of his out-of-this-world revelations, and the usual crowd kneels and praises the lord. Also, something almost identical happened with Moukhashkhash Beik Jumblat. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the cause is the ink with which Qatari money is printed. Investigators say that these effects are devastating to those directly affected and to those affected by the affected, and that the only cure is to put all those affected to sleep.
13 March 2012, 16:05
50
Allouch very ironic how u said insha'allah because i can assure from all of Allah's scriptures the torah the bible and the miracle Quraan that Allah does not will a person like geagea to be in power or any politician u know, and for those attacking salafism it is not a crime, they have every single justification in their quraan, so give us proof if ye are truthfull
13 March 2012, 17:52
13
rastafarian, You can assure me but it doesn't mean that you are right...I am not here to give religious lessons and I am not sure I understand you asking for proof...proof of what? in a democracy you have your opinion and I have mine; I will respect yours and I hope in return you respect mine...Hakeem is our next president inshallah.
13 March 2012, 19:05
00
hizbustan also assasinates its opponents, in the 80's and since 2005 onward. I am no fan of gaegae but just for headsup.
20 July 2012, 19:37
00
Id ought to consult with you here. Which isn't some thing I in most cases do! I enjoy reading a post that could determine people to think. Also, thank you permitting me to comment!
