Geagea Lashes Out at Government, Says Impacts of Syrian Regime Should be Removed

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea called on the Lebanese people to get rid of the effects of the Syrian regime on the Lebanese-Syrian ties, slamming the performance of the government and the security chaos in the country.

Geagea pointed out during the annual “Memorial Mass for the Martyrs of the Lebanese Resistance” that the Lebanese should differentiate between the regime of Syrian president Bashar Assad and the Syrian people.

He noted that the bilateral relations between Lebanon and Syria should be based on the interests of the two countries.

Geagea called for the suspension of the security agreements between Lebanon and Syria and the suspension of the Higher Lebanese-Syrian Council, “which were held during the tutelage stage as they were held during compelling circumstances.”

The March 14 forces and Progressive Socialist Party leader have recently called for the expulsion of the Syrian Ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali over his country's violations in Lebanon.

Since the start of anti-regime protests in Syria in March 2011, Syrian troops have repeatedly infiltrated Lebanon’s eastern and northern regions in pursuit of armed terrorist gangs.

Several Lebanese people and Syrian refugees in Lebanon have been killed or wounded in the incidents.

“From here the importance of preparing to cleanse the Assad aggression on the Lebanese-Syrian ties,” he said in a speech commemorating fallen members of his party in Maarab.

However, he urged the Lebanese to voice their support for the Syrian people who are being massacred in the neighboring country.

“We can’t stand still before the massacres, tragedies and sufferings committed against a neighboring country,” Geagea stated.

He also called on the Lebanese government to commit to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the peoples right of self-determination. “The government should abide by the Geneva convention and the international convention in dealing with refugees, displaced people, the sick and wounded people,” Geagea noted.

He stressed that the Christians in the Middle East are part of its history, were they have imprinted their culture along the way.

“Many tears have been cried and blood shed but that’s the nature of all the human race,” Geagea said.

“The dictator regimes are the source of questioning the existence of Christians in the Middle East after its collapse,” the LF leader said.

“We are all brothers in humanity, we deal with the other and determine our stance from him not based on his religion or race but according to his behavior,” he added.

He noted that the LF stance from the Arab spring, particularly in Syria, is merely based on its perspective, aims and dimensions.

“We, the Christians, can only be ourselves: revolutionaries, free people, pioneers of democracy and human rights, advocates of justice, equality, openness, progress and development,” he said.

Geagea listed the challenges facing the Lebanese people including the continuous Syrian violations along the Lebanese-Syrian border, the failure of the authorities to investigate how ex-Minister Michel Samaha smuggled explosive into Lebanese territories without being exposed on the border crossing, arms spread across the country while officials, ministers and party leaders are covering up for culprits.

In addition to kidnapping people according to their identities for political or financials reasons, blocking roads, enormous strategic risks due to the presence of “mini state” that the government has no power on, no electricity, bad phone lines, poor public services, tough living conditions because of inflation and no job opportunities, economy downturn, deteriorating tourism, and the absence of economy and social policies.

Samaha, Syrian National Security Bureau head Ali Mamlouk and a Syrian officer identified as Brig. Gen. Adnan were charged on Aug. 11 with plotting to assassinate political and religious figures in Lebanon and carry out terrorist attacks.

“All this led the Lebanese people not to trust the government and to lose hope in the nationa,” Geagea said.

He lashed out at the government, holding it responsible for the current situation in the country.

Geagea called on the Lebanese to heavily participate in the 2013 parliamentary elections and to vote against “those who were responsible for the situation Lebanon reached.”

“It’s a golden opportunity that we shouldn’t waste,” the LF leader said.

He urged the government to form a “government crisis cell” in order to follow up on the case of Lebanese people held in Syrian jails and the case of the abducted Lebanese pilgrims in Aazaz.

He addressed the scheduled visit of Pope Benedict XVl to Lebanon.

“The bleeding Middle East needs the pontiff today more than any other day,” Geagea said.

Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit Lebanon from September 14-16 to bring a message of peace and call for greater respect for religious pluralism.