Geagea 'flexible' but not with Berri's dialogue or Hezbollah's war
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea insists on boycotting a presidential dialogue initiated by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as Lebanon remains without a president since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022, almost two years ago.
"I am flexible," Geagea said in a radio interview on Thursday night. "But I cannot be flexible about Hezbollah's decision to start a war in south Lebanon," he added, as he dubbed Berri's dialogue anew "unconstitutional".
Geagea said the so-called Axis of Defiance plans to control Lebanon. "As long as it is unable to do it militarily, it will try at all costs to control it politically by electing a president of its choice."
Geagea said he will not describe Hezbollah as a terrorist organization as he hopes to "attract" the group to the Lebanese framework. "The only way to meet with Hezbollah, is when it becomes a Lebanese party with a Lebanese agenda only," Geagea said, adding that ties with Hezbollah cannot be completely cut.
He also said he has a good relation with Hezbollah's ally, Berri, but that he finds the way Berri is dealing with the presidential vote "unacceptable".
On another note, Geagea said that he thinks the Free Patriotic Movement's disintegration is "in Lebanon's interest", after two MPs were expelled from the FPM and two others deliberately resigned.
06 September 2024, 14:50
00
They Knew … And They Led Lebanon to Destruction
"Lebanon’s tragedy cannot be blamed on Hezbollah's arrogance and tyranny alone. The blame is shared by the country’s political class, which didn't bat an eye as they saw the implementation of the plan to tie the country's fate to Israel’s decisions. The disaster in the South and Lebanon was never placed on the cabinet's agenda. There has been no genuine accountability by a parliament hijacked by the speaker, who treats it like his personal property. It is time to hold fully accountable those who said that “the field has the final word,” erasing people's dreams, hopes, and right to life. It is time to stop protesting in whispers behind closed doors!"
Source: https://english.aawsat.com/opinion/5057897-they-knew%E2%80%A6and-they-led-lebanon-destruction
