Geagea Denounces Gaza 'Massacre,' Says Lebanon Drawn Back to 'pre-History'
Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea considered on Thursday that Lebanon has been drawn back to a “pre-historic” phase, not because of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's acts, but because of some political factions' stances.
“The presidential vacuum that we are witnessing is unacceptable, and it is no longer a farce only but a tragedy that is being reflected in a parliamentary and a ministerial vacuum,” Geagea stated during a meeting with a delegation of the World Lebanese Cultural Union.
In other words, Lebanese has gone back to a "pre-historic phase" not because of ISIL but because of some factions' stances, he said.
Geagea, a presidential candidate, had received 48 votes in the first parliamentary session dedicated for choosing a new head of state on April 23. He repeatedly called for securing quorum at the parliament but disagreements between the March 8 and the March 14 coalitions have so far prevented the election of a new leader to replace former President Michel Suleiman.
Separately, the LF leader denounced the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
"What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable by all accounts... from a humanitarian perspective this is unacceptable,” he stressed.
"It is about time for the Arab League to convene … and join its political capabilities to take steps and stop the Gaza war,” he added.
Arab countries have “enough influence and political power to the stop the massacre there in a very short time,” Geagea expressed.
Gaza has been under Israeli attack for the past 24 days, an assault which has so far taken the lives of over 1,400 civilians and injured 8,000 others.
The Christian leader also commented on the situation in Iraq's Mosul, where Christians are attacked by the Islamic State and are left to choose between converting to Islam or persecution.
"I can't find the words to describe the situation (in Mosul) because what is happening goes back to an era before Islam and Jahiliyah. It goes back to pre-history.”
He elaborated: “ISIL is a criminal terrorist organization... and we call for confronting this phenomenon that has no elements that would help its continuation. It has no ties with Islam or Christianity and in case it was sustained, it will terminate Islam, Christianity and the Middle East.”
S.D.B.
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