Geagea Says Bid on Life Triggered by His 'Attempt to Put Christians at Heart of Arab Spring'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Thursday that the rival domestic and regional camp “has an interest” in eliminating him from the political scene, noting that his “attempt to put the Christians at the heart of the Arab Spring is an additional factor in the assassination attempt” he escaped last week.
“I changed my lifestyle after the assassination attempt to prevent the perpetrators from making another bid,” Geagea said in an interview on Al-Arabiya.
He accused a “professional and major political side” of perpetrating the attack, stressing that it was not the work of “individuals.”
“At least six people are estimated to have taken part in the operation, which means that it was well-organized,” he noted.
Last week, Geagea announced that he had been shot at twice by "snipers" as he was walking with bodyguards outside his fortified residence in Maarab.
"I heard two shots, so I dropped to the ground," he said, adding that the bullets made two holes in the wall of his house.
Lebanese security services who later arrived at the scene confirmed the incident, which they said they were investigating.
During the interview on Thursday, Geagea said he was confident that President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and ISF’s intelligence bureau chief Brig. Gen. Wissam al-Hassan are “serious concerning the investigation” into the attempt on his life.
“But officials (of lower ranks) may not be as serious,” the LF leader added.
Asked whether he feared for the life of Druze leader MP Walid Jumblat, Geagea said: “In my analysis of how the other camp thinks, yes I'm seriously afraid for Walid Jumblat.”
“I don't think that Lebanon will return to civil strife because at least the March 14 camp -- which has grown bigger due to several factors -- is keen on preserving civil peace, although sometimes it does that at the expense of its own interests,” Geagea said when asked about a possible return to civil war in Lebanon, on the eve of the 37th anniversary of the civil war that erupted on April 13, 1975.
Geagea accused the rival Hizbullah-led camp of “impeding the democratic life with its weapons,” but noted that the March 14 camp was willing to wait for the 2013 parliamentary elections to seek a change in the political equation, saying that stems from keenness on preserving security in the country.
And he stressed that “the other camp will not come to the dialogue table before the fall of the Syrian regime and before it abandons its arms.”
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12 April 2012, 22:52
Geagea: The other camp will not come to the dialogue table before the fall of the Syrian regime and before it abandons its arms.
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12 April 2012, 22:50
Geagea: I don't think that Lebanon will return to civil strife because at least the March 14 camp -- which has grown bigger due to several factors -- is keen on preserving civil peace, although sometimes it does that at the expense of its own interests. The other camp is impeding the democratic life with its weapons, but we are willing to wait for more than two years for the sake of preserving security.
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12 April 2012, 22:44
Geagea: The LF is a very organized party and no one can resort to street action without the leadership's approval. From the first day, my concern has been to prosecute the perpetrators and then I asked the LF's secretary-general to prevent any street action.
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12 April 2012, 22:44
Geagea: In my analysis of how the other camp thinks, yes I'm seriously afraid for Walid Jumblat.
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12 April 2012, 22:40
Geagea: My attempt to put the Christians at the heart of the Arab world is an additional factor for the assassination attempt.
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12 April 2012, 22:36
Geagea: I'm confident that the president, the premier, the army commander, Maj. Gen. Rifi and Brig. Gen. al-Hassan are serious concerning the investigation, but officials (of lower ranks) may not be as serious.
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12 April 2012, 22:34
Geagea: The other camp has an interest in eliminating me from the political scene and unfortunately from 1975 until now Lebanon has been affected by the region.
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12 April 2012, 22:33
Geagea: A professional and major political side perpetrated the attack and not individuals. At least 6 people are estimated to have taken part in the operation, which means that it was well-organized.
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12 April 2012, 22:32
LF leader Samir Geagea in an interview on Al-Arabiya: I changed my lifestyle after the assassination attempt to prevent the perpetrators from making another bid.
13 April 2012, 00:20
10
I do not believe the story of Geagea assassination attempt. He fraudulently refers to himself as DOCTOR. How can we believe him?
13 April 2012, 01:10
10
And his farce must go on as long as there are those who smile and clap at every ridiculous and meaningless phrase that leaves his twitching lips like the retards that they are. Not even Saint Charbel, the patron saint of the Lebanese Takfiri Forces, would dare make a claim such as the latest one by the retard himself. Soon, we shall hear of him oozing oil. Halleluiah.
13 April 2012, 01:48
55
He should stop speaking in the name of Christians and start speaking in the name of the Lebanese. The sectarian divisions of the Civil War should be long gone.
13 April 2012, 02:44
10
Ask Egyptian Christians about the Arab Spring or better yet, the Muslim Brotherhood. This is the stupidest thing I have read on Naharnet and that is saying something. Baldy GaGa speaks so get the copyrights quick and sell it for all that it's worth. It has a shelf life of 2 seconds so hurry. Naharnet shouldn't print ridiculous,irrelevant garbage .Somebody should get fired.
13 April 2012, 03:23
48
If he was not a regional player, he would not have been setup for the church bombing by the terrorist regime as part of political leaders eliminations plan, and the latest attempt on his life as well as the next attempts. So Karim go bark elsewhere.
13 April 2012, 11:25
22
That was Hizballah. Danny and Tony were getting too friendly with the Syrians and Iranians, so Hizballah got jealous and liquidated both of them.
13 April 2012, 13:05
11
You really need to stop using words like "I thought" and "I think" and "perspective". People might think you actually have a brain. And then you would be held responsible for what you say. And that can only be bad for you.
14 April 2012, 12:18
00
go write him a thank you note little boy. like it or not and I know you detest it, if it wasn't for Geagea and the LF you and your family would be selling corn by the side of the road, btw what size are your feet I'll send you some syrian made slippers and a checkered shirt since you hate him so much
14 April 2012, 12:36
00
So you follow aoun because LF did all this, OK fair enough, he ran a militia and not an army so things may have been done with or without his blessing, He has however apologised in 2008 for the atrocities during the war 'on national tv'. Now that was war time and I go back to my views that whilst LF did some bad things during this time they did more good and as the sole protectors of the christian population during that time have earnt at least that credit. We can revisit the past at every opportunity and I caqn certainly bring out De general's skeleons, there is no benefit. I think during the last phase he has done everything in the name of democracy and has not wavered in his stance, unlike aoun,jumpblat and some others.
14 April 2012, 12:36
00
What has aoun done since returning, we were all in favour of him returning and becoming president and finally providing lebanon with hope( that was called a second chance), unfortunatley he has not contributed to the countries benefit, however you are happy to follow him out of spite for Geagea not reason.
13 April 2012, 04:32
411
@ m8 blind followers:
it is amazing how much you are looking for civil war!
instead of condemning this attempt, you are putting oil on the fire.
it si becoming clearer by the day who is behind this attempt, and soon the murderors will find a just reply.
13 April 2012, 08:16
59
it is correct: I forget constantly that your do not even have an IQ, thus you cannot understand simple comments :)
14 April 2012, 12:02
00
thanks for your enlightened view champ. Let me share with you my view on your champion old man aoun and why we love him so. LF Kataeb and everyone else who called themselves Christians at one point or another has had issues with franjeih and the marada as these guys have history and this history is very clear, we know what colour they are and what they stand for. aoun on the other hand played no part in lebanon whilst he was general and all of the sudden he was claiming his throne over the lebanese, we know how that turned out don't we?
14 April 2012, 12:03
00
That my friend is a small snippet as to why we are not the biggest aoun fans. his history started when 'with the blessing of the LF' became president and has not done a single thing for lebanon since. So all you aoun supports by following him because you have been wronged by the LF, you are only cutting off your noses to spite your face. start putting Lebanon first and if Geagea says something that is to the benefit of the country try to be mature enough to admit this. That is called being a grown up ok pal?
14 April 2012, 12:22
00
thanks pot for calling the kettle black.. Where are all your meaningful and informative comments, you like calling people names from behind your computer yet don't have anything to add to the discussions, go back to msn little boy and chat with your friends. you do have friends ..don't you?
13 April 2012, 05:52
02
If it had been Nassy the Hezz would have been burning tires, smashing buildings and killing Lebanese in the streets like when the raped Beirut.
Because it was Geagea their rat mouthpiece al-Manar mock and ridicule.
The M8 government will not allow an investigation to conclude with any charges.
13 April 2012, 08:08
63
yeah lady geagega is a big timer now. Better get in line and watch out :)
13 April 2012, 08:18
53
whether your IQ understands it or not, the fact remains he is a regional player, unlike some traitor general....
13 April 2012, 09:37
44
they tried to test your IQ but they could not find a brain in your head.
14 April 2012, 08:53
00
morons like geha do not deserve a reply, except maybe only to point out that they are morons
13 April 2012, 08:51
72
are you sure ur from Kesrwen man?? we have so few Geagea lovers here (prooved by 2 elections in a row)... i think ur unique in your own way
13 April 2012, 09:36
43
let us see the upcoming one then you can talk. fpm is llosing so much ground by the day :)
13 April 2012, 08:53
55
Again he's milking it! the scenario didn't work and no one believed it.it reminds of a defective machine: at some point of the process something goes wrong but it continues to do the next steps of the process regardless of the fact that those steps are now useless
13 April 2012, 09:38
55
let us see if this happened with aoun what would your reaction be?
13 April 2012, 10:38
42
depends on what u mean by "this"? if it's a real attempt like the one geagea conducted against him during the war I will be sad angry... if "this" means i try hard to make people believe I count for something by creating a nice scenario and then the scenario fails creating hundreds of joke in the process I will be disappointed. so as u see it's all in the relativity
13 April 2012, 12:58
14
funy how M8 supporters always praise and applaud any murder attempts on M14 people and even call for their deaths...
typical nazi behavior...
if they were "democrats" as they claim and pretend to be, they would condemn ANY attempts on political leaders whoever they are, oh! but they are always M14 or people criticizing them, no wonder why they support this...
they just want to ignite civil war by provoking the other camp and then feigning to be the offensed virgin.....
13 April 2012, 13:57
31
peace ur just not getting it! we do ont believe the scenario, even the enlightened LF (yes there are some) didn't believe it and this is why we're not condemning it. do you really believe the flower story?? come on!! just as a reminder when Pierre was killed GMA wasn't even allowed to present his condolences coz mme Gemayel had issues with him, so who's the Nazi now?
13 April 2012, 16:17
14
it doesn t change the fact that some M8 supporters here never condemned the previous crimes and even applauded them.....showing the true nature of M8 followers based on petty revenge and killing opponents
13 April 2012, 18:47
02
read correctly you illetrate... it s written "M8 supporters here": meaning those who post comments here...
so keep your whining for yourself...
13 April 2012, 17:44
02
To all the Aouni gronks wake up to yourselves. If the assassination attempt was staged as you claim then why is your beloved telecommunication minister senhauie and the 3 Hezbollah appointed judicial authority panel only willing to provide telecom data to the internal security forces before 15th of January but refusing requests for data from 16th January till April? Also Dr. Samir Geagea already spent time in jail unlike all the other cowardly civil war politicians. Atleast he never fled his comrades and family in battle like your cowardly Aoun. All the hypocrisy of Aoun and SSNP thief son in law Bassil. To the so called Kesrweneh, yes you won the last 2 elections, but please keep it factual as the last election result was only a victory with around 54% with help of your MOM friends Hezbollah. Lebanon and patriotic leaders like Dr. Samir Geagea will overcome you and all the enemies of Lebanon. We are here to stay!
13 April 2012, 18:49
01
"so please shut up and have some sense."
and you , just learn how to read what i have written and stop insulting people who are not from your side proving the intellectual level of M8 followers like you...
13 April 2012, 18:58
01
Let's not get started on who insults who. Supporters of both sides seem to insult, insult, insult to get their message across, not realizing that this only degrades their intellectual level.But hey, such is the political culture of Lebanon. Lost are the days of dialogue and compromise, of eliminating misunderstandings and explaining our viewpoints. All you followers just call this guy a kalb and the other guy a hmar, because that person doesn't agree with you. How childish.
No wonder Lebanon hasn't had any progress since the civil war. It is because the civil war is not yet over; it is now manifested itself in the political culture of Lebanon.
13 April 2012, 19:00
01
There are some M14 figures that have good points, and there are M8 figures that also have good points. In a debate, both sides tend to be correct in what they affirm, and wrong in what they deny.
13 April 2012, 19:11
02
Let us clam down and read/state the facts who are the thugs in the Country, Can we assume that the Zionist/US are killing and assassinating Anti-Syrian political figures in Lebanon? (i.e. Hajj, Eid, Harriri, Mufti, Hawi, Kassir, Mouawad, Gemayel, Tueni, Hamadeh, and more..)
Simply put no and stop being blind, and acknowledge history and geography that the only Thugs in the Country have always been M8 and the Syrian regime dogs period. Now, call me a Zionist and I am damn proud of it, but my blood will always be against those who killed the LEBANESE figures above simply because you fooled us once and shame on you, but we will re-arm again just like you and we won't let you fool us again because it would be a shame on us for believing you twice.
13 April 2012, 19:19
10
Sure you can assume that Israel was responsible for some of the assassinations. You think US/Israel never in their history tried to divide a population so as to weaken it? Sure Syrian hegemony of Lebanon was bad, but to deliberately accuse M8 after every assassination attempt is only serving the interests of those that like to see Lebanon divided.
You're proud of being a Zionist? You're proud of Israel dropping 4 million clusterbombs AFTER the ceasefire in 2006 on both Muslim and Christian neighbourhoods? When Israel promised immunity and protection to the Christian-majority South Lebanese Army, they left them to dry after the 2000 Israeli withdrawal of Lebanon. You think Israel has the interest of the Christians, let alone all Lebanese? You think the US has these interests? The only interests they have is the security of Israel, at all costs.
14 April 2012, 04:55
00
If that's the case then why is it that no leader from M8 was killed??? If the Israelis are behind this so called fantasy theory then would haved killed both M14 and M8 leaders to divide the country. Wake up and smell the coffee if you really care for justice in Lebanon
14 April 2012, 00:57
00
My point is this, no one is dumb to realize and see the way how the top rulers of Baath party for 50 yrs eliminate civilians if they detect for example that they pray too much, fearing they are Muslim extremists, the same fashion Mughnieh, Ghazi and his brother Ali Kan3an were eliminated, why the dirty Khadam lives in Paris? bottom line we know who assassinated all the Lebanese figures the same fashion we've always done it in Syria, but we wanted things formal so let the STL do their job and let the world see what the locals still can't see after 30yrs of war. On the cluster bombs, we just got the land mines in Wadi Khaled and Bekaa, what difference does it make between the two evils?
14 April 2012, 04:58
00
Stop fooling yourself. Why is that all data available before January 15th and not after? The truth is plain simple.
14 April 2012, 05:02
00
If someone tried to assassinate a key politician in any country then they would also be in the media. What wrong with people like you? Ok you hate the LF and that's your problem but please don't try forge history with fantasy theories.
14 April 2012, 05:10
00
Sounds like you are the one has has the fantasy Hollywood theory. The bullets fired have been taken to forensics and the attempt confirmed by politicians not in March 14 such as Sleiman, Mikati, berri, and all security agencies. Also the sniper weapon used was only issued to a handful of countries and yes Iran bought a few of the approx. 45 sold internationally. I'm not coming up with fantasy accusations here but lets start by calling for fair unbiased justice. That is by providing the internal security forces with the telecom data from January 16 onwards not just before. Until that happens then for me and all sane Lebanese believe the attempt to be true. Have a nice day!
14 April 2012, 12:08
00
i saw your mum under a spot light last night :)
now that i have your attention, either add something informative and constructive, (even flame does this from time to time, albeit i may not agree) or SHUT UP, i think i can speak for the majority here on this, and for the come backs. I love you too
05 May 2012, 19:13
00
If you want to know my opinion you are all very bad, all Lebanese are just fanatics christians, moslems, all of you are just very bad if you belive in God you will never commit this things . Just remembar you should not kill and you should love the next one. All of you are just hipocrits!!!!!!!!!! SHAME ON YOU ALL LEBANESE!
