Geagea throws support behind state after Qassem's remarks
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem’s latest speech is “rejected in all standards.”
“It represents a direct threat to the Lebanese government in the first place, to the parliamentary majority that granted this government confidence in the second place, and to all state institutions in Lebanon, topped by the Presidency and the Premiership. It is also a threat to every free Lebanese,” Geagea said in a statement.
“If Sheikh Naim supposes that there are no longer free Lebanese in Lebanon, then he is mistaken, or rather very mistaken. And if he supposes that in this manner he would impose his nonexistent clout on these free Lebanese, then he is also mistaken, mistaken, mistaken,” the LF leader added.
“As we represent the vast majority in Lebanon in these delicate moments of Lebanon’s history, we all stand together as free Lebanese behind our constitutional institutions, represented especially in the president and the premier, who are trying with all they have of patriotism, vigor and strength to return Lebanon to itself and to restore the actual state,” Geagea went on to say.
He added: “The stage we are living is foundational par excellence and we will spare no efforts in supporting our state institutions, standing united them behind them and next them, and exerting utmost effort not to allow anyone to foil this attempt anew.”
Qassem said Friday that "the government is implementing an American-Israeli order to end the resistance, even if it leads to civil war and internal strife."
"The resistance will not surrender its weapons while aggression continues, occupation persists, and we will fight it... if necessary to confront this American-Israeli project no matter the cost," Qassem added.
He also urged the government "not to hand over the country to an insatiable Israeli aggressor or an American tyrant with limitless greed," adding the Lebanese state would "bear responsibility for any internal explosion and any destruction of Lebanon."
