Geagea Rejects Assad's Remarks that Syria is 'Last Bastion of Secularism'

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Thursday noted that Syrian President Bashar Assad is trying to “scare” Christians by claiming that Syria is the "last bastion of secularism, stability and coexistence in the region."

In an interview on the pan-Arab satellite TV network Al-Jazeera, Geagea called on Syria's Christians to "take part in the revolution in their country."

"The regime is trying to scare them from Islamic extremism so that they endorse it, knowing that it was the first side that dealt blows to Christians,” Geagea added.

"Remarks that the Syrian regime is the last bastion of secularism and free political systems in the Middle East are remarks that are not realistic," Geagea stressed.

The LF leader noted that "the side that has inflicted the greatest harm on Christians, not only in Syria but also in Lebanon, is this regime."

"We don't want protection from anyone, we rather want freedom, democracy, equality and justice and after that Christians in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt or anywhere can manage their affairs on their own," Geagea added.

Turning to Syria's armed conflict between the regime and insurgents, Geagea called on the Arab states to "at least arm the opposition factions whose identity is clear so that they can continue their revolution in a proper manner and in order to to end the Syrian crisis as quick as possible."

"The more the Syrian crisis protracts, the more destruction and divisions it will cause and the more it will push groups of people towards extremism," Geagea warned.

Assad on Thursday rejected calls that he seek a safe exit, vowing he would "live in Syria and die in Syria" in an interview with Russian-backed international channel RT.

"I am not a puppet. I was not made by the West to go to the West or to any other country," Assad, who is facing a nearly 20-month revolt against his rule, told the channel in English, according to transcripts posted on the state-backed Russian news channel's website.

"I am Syrian, I was made in Syria, I have to live in Syria and die in Syria," he said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday floated the idea of granting Assad safe passage from the country, saying it "could be arranged" though he wanted the Syrian leader to face international justice.

Assad also warned against a foreign intervention to deal with Syria's escalating conflict, saying such a move would have global consequences and shake regional stability.

"We are the last stronghold of secularism and stability in the region... it will have a domino effect that will affect the world from the Atlantic to the Pacific," he said.

"I do not think the West is going (to intervene), but if they do so, nobody can tell what is next," Assad said.

In a separate video extract of the interview, Assad also said: "The price of this invasion, if it happens, is going to be big, more than the whole world can afford."

Many in Syria's opposition, including armed rebels waging fierce battles with pro-regime forces, have urged the international community to intervene to stop escalating bloodshed in the country that rights groups say has left more than 37,000 people dead.