Geagea: Hizbullah is an Unconstitutional and Illegitimate Armed Group
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea noted on Monday that Lebanon's constitution and National Pact make no reference to resistance movements.
He declared during a press conference: “The lack of reference renders Hizbullah an unconstitutional and illegitimate armed group and we will never recognize its legitimacy.”
“It is not a resistance, but an organized armed group that does not abide by the law,” he added.
“I challenge anyone to prove to me where the National Pact makes a reference to a resistance movement in Lebanon,” he continued.
“Anyone who claims otherwise is altering historic facts and treaties,” he stated.
Moreover, Geagea said that Hizbullah's actions over the past eight years had not served Lebanon, but only itself and Iran.
He refuted claims by Hizbullah members that they seek partnership with other Lebanese factions, saying that the party had disregarded and is still disregarding the country's interests by fighting in Syria alongside the Syrian regime.
Commenting on Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's recent remarks that the party does not need the support of all Lebanese parties, Geagea asked: “What then is left of the Lebanese people's ties among each other? This party exists in Lebanon and anything it does will affect all of us, so why shouldn't it need our support?”
“Nasrallah has not been officially tasked by anyone to administer Lebanon's strategic affairs,” he continued.
In addition, the LF leader said that over the past eight years, Hizbullah has acted as an illegitimate armed group, not a resistance, giving the example of the events of May 7, 2008, among others.
“Hizbullah's illegitimate actions have led to lawlessness in Lebanon where several regions are not subject to the law,” he said.
“Hizbullah has been linked to terrorist activities abroad, such as Bulgaria and Thailand. Are these acts of a resistance or an illegitimate armed group?” he wondered.
“Lebanon can no longer exist as a state and it can never enjoy any peace and prosperity as long as Hizbullah continues to conduct itself as it is,” he stressed.
Addressing Nasrallah's remarks on the Syrian crisis, Geagea said: “It is unacceptable for him to alter historic facts linked to the unrest.”
“He is trying to make the people believe that the Syrian regime, which is the example of innocence, is being attacked by the United States, other countries, and takfiris. This vision of the Syrian conflict is very far from the truth,” he added.
“It is unacceptable for Nasrallah to alter historic facts to suit his interests,” he stated.
“Poisoning the people's thoughts is more dangerous than bombings that had taken place in Lebanon in recent months and he should not undermine the people's intelligence,” he declared.
Turning to some Lebanese powers that are fearful over the fate of Christians in the East, Geagea said: “It is very unfortunate that some sides are exploiting this issue for the sake of the Syrian regime.”
“Some sides are portraying the conflict in Syria as being that of the regime against takfiris, while completely disregarding the Syrian people,” he remarked in an indirect reference to Free Patriotic Movement MP Michel Aoun.
“These sides have forgotten the fate of former Presidents Bashir Gemayel and Rene Mouawad and other figures who have been assassinated,” he added.
Addressing the dispute over the formation of a new government, the LF leader suggested the formation of a cabinet that does not include the March 8 and 14 camps because they are in disagreement over all pending issues.
A government that includes both of these sides will render it ineffective because their disputes will cripple it, he explained.
On the March 8 demands for cabinet to convene in order to tackle the petroleum file and its accusations that the March 14 camp is hampering such efforts, Geagea noted: “One camp, some of whose members had never cared for the people's interests, is making it seem that the other is not keen on this issue.”
“The oil file is not being addressed because the people do not trust the officials who are responsible for it,” he clarified.
“The current caretaker ministers are not qualified to address this issue,” he continued.
“We oppose holding any cabinet session to discuss the oil file, not because we don't want to address this issue, but because we want it to be handled by honest officials,” he stressed.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/106207 |