Geagea: Recent Events Result of Syrian Regime Disappointment with Suleiman, Miqati over Samaha Arrest
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused on Friday the Syrian regime of being behind the recent instability in Lebanon, saying that it is “upset with the Lebanese government for its failure to properly support it during its crisis.”
He added during a press conference: “The Syrian regime is disappointed with President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati over the arrest of former minister and MP Michel Samaha.”
“The Lebanese people have developed the impression after the events of the past two days that Lebanon is an open ground for various disputes and its state lacks any authority, laws, or constitution,” he said.
“Some armed groups are forming the state’s policies and abducting people with complete disregard to the law,” he added.
He strongly condemned the tit-for-tat kidnappings that took place recently, noting that no matter how just a cause, there can be no justification for what happened.
“The events that took place could lead to the crippling of the country and the elimination of the state,” stated the LF leader.
“Some people appeared on television claiming that they are members of al-Meqdad clan and its military wing. If we want to go ahead with this reasoning, we would have discovered a number of armed wings,” he continued.
The very existence of such a group harms the existence of the state and its government and army, he declared.
He demanded that the events of the past two days should not be linked to the abduction of the 11 Lebanese pilgrims in Syria.
Addressing al-Meqdad family and all clans that sympathize with it, Geagea asked: “Who did you vote for in the last parliamentary elections? Wasn’t it Hizbullah and AMAL? Hizbullah and AMAL are now the backbones of the government, so if you don’t have faith in it, why do you even talk to it?”
“We don’t trust the government, but does that justify an armed revolt against it if we believe in the democratic system?” he wondered.
“We will instead plan to win the majority in the 2013 parliamentary elections,” he stressed.
“We have been grappling for months with the government in order for the telecom data to be presented to the concerned authorities. There is no greater cause than trying to reach the truth behind political assassinations, but we did not resort to the same actions of those of the past two days,” said Geagea.
“It is shameful that Syrian refugees are being kidnapped in Lebanon. This will haunt the perpetrators for the rest of their lives,” he stated.
The results of the past two days are aimed at terrorizing all those who oppose the Syrian regime, especially Syrian refugees, he remarked.
“The Syrian regime is upset with the way Lebanon has harbored the refugees. It was hoping that it would terrorize them. It therefore had to search an alternative to the government and it resorted to al-Meqdad family,” he said.
Moreover, the LF leader said that Samaha’s arrest was “the breaking point for the Syrian regime” and it is upset that Suleiman and Miqati even allowed the arrest to take place.
“Suleiman and Miqai have an historic responsibility in tackling this crisis, which is threatening Lebanon’s very existence,” he remarked.
“Such a situation requires immediate measures in order to restore the authority of the state,” he noted.
He therefore called for the announcement of a partial state of emergency “in order to prevent the emergence of any armed presence in Lebanon.”
“The state must search for all of the abducted Syrians and non-Syrians and release them by force if they have to,” he added.
“All gunmen who appeared in such an offensive manner on television should be arrested and all those who made statements that harm Lebanon’s ties with other nations must also be detained,” he continued.
On the repeated blocking of the airport road, Geagea said: “The army and security forces must be deployed in the area and prevent the closure of the road. Anyone who tries to do so must be arrested.”
“Should they fail to prevent the closure, then operations at the Qulaiat airport must be launched,” he suggested.
“The current state authority in Lebanon is becoming a joke and it is being prevented from imposing its power in the country,” said the LF chief.
“It is unacceptable that a minority control the fate of the majority of the Lebanese people,” he stated.
A series of abductions of Syrians and allegedly a Turkish national took place in the past two days by al-Meqdad clan to demand the release of Hassan al-Meqdad, who was kidnapped by Free Syrian Army members in Syria earlier this week.
Addressing Samaha’s arrest last week, Geagea said: “I hope the Lebanese people, regardless of their political affiliations, would observe the March 8 camp, which produced Samaha and what happened in the past two days, and head to the parliamentary elections.”
“The March 14 camp may have several flaws, but it at least aims to achieve stability and security,” he stressed.
In addition, he questioned the role of the General Security and customs agents on the Masnaa border-crossing that did not inspect Samaha’s explosives-laden vehicle as it entered Lebanon from Syria.
“Aren’t the sides that pressured the Internal Security Forces and Intelligence Bureau affiliated with the various bombings and security incidents that have taken place in Lebanon in recent years?” he continued.
“The security agencies at the border should be held responsible for the entry of explosives in Lebanon,” he stressed.
“Samaha’s has arrest revealed the true colors of the March 8 camp, which has repeatedly warned of the threat of Salafists and al-Qaida in Lebanon,” noted Geagea.
“Don’t we have the right to ask, who we are sitting with at the national dialogue table?” he wondered.
Government deputy Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Sami Sader charged on Saturday Samaha and Syrian security chief General Ali Mamlouk with forming a group to commit crimes in Lebanon.
The two were also charged with plotting to assassinate political and religious figures.
17 August 2012, 15:41
210
Well said slash ,what we dealing here is with one eyed people Mate.I think Dr Geagea is a wise man we all make mistakes and he did and paid for it. Hasan hides behind schools and hospitals and killed 1200 of his own people in 2006, if he is not a murderer who is..
17 August 2012, 16:00
17
main objectives that have been achieved by hizbushaitan and amal and behind them the syrian regime:
- they diverted the discussions babout hizbushaitan weapons. Lesson learned: no more dialogue sessions.
- they captured FSA activists on behalf of the syrian embassy. lesson learned: the syrian embassy should be close.
- they closed the airport road once more. lesson learned: open kleiat airport and let them close this one.
- they clearly stated their disregard to the state of law. lesson learned: prepare for what is coming.
17 August 2012, 16:04
15
the more the syrian regime approaches its collapse point, the more hizbushaitan, iran and their cronies syrian leftovers in Lebanon become insecure, and make a show of force.
the more closer the war with israel becomes, they are trying to secure their background by force.
they are up for a major surprise soon.
17 August 2012, 16:05
28
He is the only politician in Lebanon who is brave enough to name things by it's name ,
17 August 2012, 16:16
17
tell me please who didn't kill by the Haweya during the war, Amal, PSP, mourabitoun, kaoumi souri, Marada, Kataeb, Palestinians they all did. which one of the warlords did not ? not saying Geagea is a saint but look at your leaders you just lick Iran & bashar's boot at least Geagea did his time jail he was brave enough to stand trial unlike Clown running to France.
17 August 2012, 19:17
11
they both were given the same options, join, leave or face the consequenses.. the rest is history.
17 August 2012, 19:21
01
btw flame, convicted by the same oppressors mishou ran away from.. the same currupt syrian backed oppressors that persecuted the christians whilst he was in his orange shorts sipping champagne by the pool.. to his credi though he did call them names.( from far away).
17 August 2012, 16:28
17
Labeling Samir Geagea as a killer is like labeling Abraham Lincoln who killed 1 million people in the US civil war as a killer. This is just ridiculous. At least among all the leaders he is not a hypocrite, at least he had the humility to apologize publically for this mistakes. Among all the current Lebanese leaders, this guy is a class of his own, way above the rest. I used to hate him, but now I take my hat off to him everytime he speaks.
17 August 2012, 18:39
11
flame 21st Sept, 2008 Lebanese forces martyrs day mass.. look it up.
17 August 2012, 16:33
14
Ouwet was born to protect Lebanon for all Lebanese from the palastinians,unlike hizb that was born to achieve to one islamic UMMA an islamic revolution iranian style. Dont you think for one moment that you will be able to achieve that NEVER.
17 August 2012, 16:40
26
Seems like we are always getting into arguments about who's side we should be on, Syria/HA/Iran (no thank you, i believe in progress) vs West/SA (still not really , i have a sister and not into women oppression) or with Palestine and their plight. My Question is ... who is siding with Lebanon ? where is out Identity ? we always talk about it but it is has a myth.
17 August 2012, 16:44
00
I used to hate this guts of this guy ... but the evidence is obvious: he is top notch, a class above all the rest, he has proven he is a true leader. We wish there are more like him in Lebanon. Courageous, articulate, analytical, solid vision, not a flip-flopper, long-term thinking, ... all what is missing to most other politicians in Lebanon.
17 August 2012, 16:59
17
You can't blame Geagea and only Geagea for killings during the 1075-1990 war, everyone was a murderer, including your Isteez and Hizbullah! How come they became angels and were given control of the country and Geagea thrown into jail? It's because he refused to be Syria's dog so they framed him and threw him in jail.
You are right, Lebanon is this way because of him and the likes of him. Lebanon is a country where you can still talk freely and grow and were women have the right to drive and not be forced to cover up and a country that still values itself etc etc. Had it not been for the likes of Geagea and Bashir Lebanon would have been divided between the Syrians and the Palestinians. Would you have been happier then?
17 August 2012, 16:59
16
If you ever made a mistake you should be condemmed to life so just tell me who's in Lebanon is a saint? and Which leader from Nasrallah to Berri to Aoun and other are not criminal, they may not have been dragged to court and convicted under Syrian authority but they they all have blood on their hands. That what happen in wars. One thing is clear so... You are stuck in the past and sound like you belong there. You don't believe people learn from mistakes and change over time. You have no future or future vision and you are either an old grumpy person or a teen don't know what you talking about. Open you mind and see with both eyes to catch up with time.
17 August 2012, 17:23
11
I sometimes wonder what is the use of paying salaries to an army who has no right to be in the south to defend Lebanon, no right to get the criminals who abduct people on our territory, and have their own military wing ( what a joke) stop paying salaries to those who cannot open the airport road and had to leave so they do not clash with murderers, what is the use for all that ?....
Save the money and develop electrical power and infrastructure as in any case we have the bandits of Hizbullah who will protect us from Israel.
What a banana country
You asked the Lebanese who left Lebanon to come back and invest in what and in what country ???
What next now wil the armed wing of those criminals free their criminal foe MICHEL SAMAHA from the hands of the justice and send him back to his masters in Syria ???
Good job guys keep the good work.
A frustrated Lebanese
17 August 2012, 18:07
24
FT...oh please do go on...and you mean to say that Hizbullah and Amal didn't...oh that's true, you are brainwashed, and they are ashraf el nas, they gave their captives massages and put them in hotels, just like they did in the May events when they invaded Beirut and other areas and killed and destroyed without a blink...and that was only a few years ago, about a decade and a half after the war ended right?
Before you start judging others look at yourself...
On another note, I don't understand how brainwashed you and other are to not be see things the way they are...March 14 is not made of angels either, but they don't even come close to March 8!
17 August 2012, 18:09
00
Bravo Hakim your the best...amazing and fantastic press conference today...God Bless you and be with you...!!!!...
17 August 2012, 18:31
03
I dont like geagea. But I would take him anytime over the smaha, amal, zaayter and mcDad rule.
Biggest mistake was for the christians to give up their weapons. We should have closed our border and separated. Now we are stuck with the single neuron who can only think of israel(Hassan), the garbage bag that time cannot decay (Nabih) and these new brand wild west desperados.
17 August 2012, 19:12
12
so does having foreign intevention ie. syrian, iranian, israel, us or any other kind.We would love the 10452 option but having the syrio/iranian armed brigade hinders us from achieving that unless we take up Bashir's ideology and take it by force, that wouldn't solve much i don't think. you kinda missed the point on that one, don't try preaching to us our values, try to learn them it might do you good..
17 August 2012, 19:14
12
I was against partition. I beleive in Lebanon. And I like to have a pluralistic society. But unless the chiites and sunnites hold their thugs and play by the rules, we cant be together. a christian thug, smaha was put in jail. Mokdads succeeded to start a movement that put hundreds of people out of work just by mentionning the "armed wing of the family" shouldnt tehy be jailed? mawlawi? assir? Chiites and sunnites have to stop drawing red lines and ALLOW the law to seize their thugs. Else most christians prefer partition.
17 August 2012, 20:06
11
Aoun bashing is not the solution. It is not about Aoun. In fact both Aoun and Geagea want the same thing. They want christian rights. And today we have to unite as christians and fight for the good of the country because we are the only sane people left in the country.
17 August 2012, 18:47
12
flame you are mistaken, as a member of the opposition he is doing just that, opposing to inadequate/in-appropriate an in-effective policy, unlike m8 opposition he isn't burning tyres he is however putting forward suggestions on how to handle the situation. I think this gives the lebanese people alot more confidence in him knowing that he would at least have solutions to problems that arise, unlike the current government who has turned Lebanon into the wild west. I understand that is very hard to accept through your bitterness for the man, but at least give credit where it is due, unlike mishou he hasn't proclaimed to the lebanese people world war three 'as if the lebanese have a say on syrian affairs' but has provided clear direction on how to handle certiain events.
17 August 2012, 19:15
13
galiboun no matter what happens you are always going to be an idiot without a constructive argument, just another name calling sheep on a leash..
17 August 2012, 19:44
10
I beg your pardon? Dude, did you even read the article, or is it the English language that you have a problem with? Ja3ja3 is saying, on the contrary, that Slaymèn and Miqati are actually being Lebanese for a moment, and that THAT is why Baschar hates them. Ja3ja3 is trying to get into the good books of Slaymèn and trying to get Miqati to do what Riad Hijabi did (i.e., defect away from being an Asad toything). If you don't know how to read, BlameThrower, then what the F*** are you doing on a newspaper's comment box? Kteer zih2an w fadi bélak?
17 August 2012, 20:53
11
Yes he used to be violent, made mistakes, and crimes... but anyone who dissagrees with 1 word in this speech is nothing but a traitor to Lebanon. I used to hate Geagea, but nowaydays he is spot on!
17 August 2012, 22:07
11
SG has spoken out against his former captors in a very respectful way. We could all learn from his words of wisdom. The time to move forward is here. The past should be put into history books. The future is what we are writing. Will Lebanon have a next chapter or an Epitaph?!?!?
BASHAR and his crazy family must go Go GO!
17 August 2012, 22:46
00
the only one amplifying animosity between shia and sunnis is HA. Pointing a gun to our head is not something we will forget anytime soon, and neither should u. btw ... seems like u have a lot of free time. need a job ?
18 August 2012, 01:49
02
I have one thing to say to all the Syrian dogs and Iranian slaves in Lebanon like it or not Geagea is here to stay.I would rather vote and support Geagea anytime at least his Lebanese...
18 August 2012, 04:37
10
Qui serait d'accord pour une pétition demandant d'interdire à tous les seigneurs de la guerre dite "civile" de s'exprimer à travers les média?
How many would agree to a petition for banning all our warlords from all media?
18 August 2012, 06:55
10
I am sorry to see the Syrian people suffer, but why did they stay so quiet for 45 years, and allow the Assad clan to control them, and to control Lebanon? God is paying Bath Assad back, for what they did to Lebanon....kharma's a bitch, right Bashar? All those Lebanese who were murdered, raped, abused, tortured, displaced, massacred, all those years, by this ruthless and EVIL Syrian family and regime, will soon have the justice they have been praying for all these years, delivered to them....hundreds of thousands of Lebanese, both in Lebanon and worldwide, will rejoice and shed tears of happiness, when the word travels around the world, that Bashar and his family have been annilihated and the other regime members are dead as well. That day, is fast approaching, no doubt about it. The vengeance that will be taken on him, his family and his regime members, will be gruesome, for sure, like never seen before....watch and see....and...Iran, is next...just a matter of time....
18 August 2012, 12:21
00
Dear Galiboun,
When the French Army was in Algeria war crimes were committed. That does not make the french criminals because when men go to war they often behave like animals. We have seen this in all conflicts and wars, through mankind history. In Lebanon all sides did make crimes.
It is time in Lebanon that we forgive to those who asked for forgiveness and start talking to each other in order to walk side by side in this country. For those who did not ask for forgiveness we should request a mea culpa. We cannot afford to accuse endlessly each other as this is leading to the chaos we have now.
