Geagea Won’t Hesitate to Run for Presidency: Serious Govt. Work Substitute for Dialogue
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea renewed his rejection of the national dialogue sessions, saying that he is seeking serious talks, while the current discussions are bound to fail, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.
He told the newspaper: “Serious and immediate government action is the substitute for the dialogue.”
“We would be the first to support the government should it agree to revitalize its work,” he remarked.
He explained that Syria and Hizbullah are the main participants at the all-party talks “and they are not serious in reaching any agreement.”
“They simply agreed to resume the talks because of the poor situation on the ground,” said Geagea.
“Our current problems require government decisions and not futile discussions,” he continued.
The government needs to address the issues of the state budget, administrative appointments, the unrest in Tripoli, demarcation of the border, and resolve economic and energy issues, stated the LF chief.
“These matters have nothing to do with the dialogue,” he stressed.
“Hizbullah’s arms are the only thing that can be tackled at the talks,” he noted.
“Dialogue cannot replace constitutional institutions,” remarked Geagea.
He added however that he does not oppose holding dialogue away from the media spotlight that would include the Lebanese Forces, Hizbullah, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, the Mustaqbal Movement, and the Progressive Socialist Party.
These talks could replace the current dialogue that includes no less than 20 leaders, who are tackling an agenda that was placed seven years ago, he said.
“There are much more pressing issues that need to be tackled than Hizbullah’s weapons. No one can lead me to believe that this issue can be resolved at the time being,” he declared.
“The party is not ready to discuss its arms,” he noted.
The national dialogue resumed on June 11 after a 19-month absence.
Geagea boycotted the talks, deeming them a “distraction.”
The all-party talks are set to resume on Monday.
On the 2014 presidential election, Geagea said: “I do not plan on running for the elections, but I wouldn’t hesitate if I was asked and if the circumstances were appropriate.”
Addressing the Syrian crisis, the LF chief said that the toppling of its regime will positively affect Lebanon.
“The demise of the regime is out of the question,” he added.
“The sooner its collapses the better for Lebanon and Syria,” he continued.
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