Geagea Says Actions of Officials to Determine Continuity of State or its Downfall

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed on Monday that the continuity of the state or its downfall depends on the behavior of officials, who already destroyed half of it.

“If the behavior of officials remains the same, we will have nothing left of our state,” Geagea said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.

The sharp rift among Lebanese foes over several issues reached a deadlock as disputes are ongoing over the line-up of the new cabinet, which Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam has been trying to form since his appointment in April and over calls by Speaker Nabih Berri's for the parliament to convene amid a resigned cabinet, in addition to several other disputes including the tasks that should be carried out by a caretaker cabinet, which is led by caretaker PM Najib Miqati.

Concerning the situation in Tripoli, Geagea considered the situation “unacceptable.”

“The destruction of the state starts with mere words that is punishable by the law,” Geagea said.

He pointed out that several people are threatening in their statements the judiciary and security agencies.

“The state should arrest those who are concerned,” Geagea said, in a hint to the statements issued by Arab Democratic Party Secretary-General Rifaat Eid on Saturday.

“We will act only in accordance to the law,” Eid said although he made a veiled threat that killing ISF members was permissible.