Geagea says taking up arms not an option, lauds army over Kahale

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Monday said that it is “totally out of the question” for Christians to take up arms again, lauding the army’s “performance” in the town of Kahale despite “some reservations.”

In an interview with Annahar newspaper to be published Tuesday, Geagea called on Hezbollah to “interpret the (Kahale) incident well.”

“The incident showed that there is a vast majority of Lebanese who now have utmost sensitivity towards Hezbollah and its practices,” Geagea said.

Asked about the possibility of taking up arms anew, Geagea said: “This matter is totally out of the question, seeing as in the presence of the Lebanese Army and security forces and their permanent presence, the re-armament of Christians is out of the question.”

“What the Kahale incident happened, and despite some reservations over the army’s performance, it intervened and settled the situation. Therefore there is a present and legitimate military force that is in charge of security and accordingly it is impermissible to think of any other inclination,” Geagea added.

Separately, Geagea said he suspects that Hezbollah is involved in the abduction and killing of LF member Elias Hasrouni in the southern town of Ain Ebel.

“We are awaiting the outcome of security agencies’ investigations, but according to the available information, the doubts point to Hezbollah’s involvement,” the LF leader added.

Geagea also slammed the behavior of Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil, voicing dismay that Bassil is still negotiating with Hezbollah “despite everything that has happened, from Ain Ebel to Kahale to the popular atmosphere that is rejecting Hezbollah and its practices.”

“The negotiations between Bassil and Hezbollah are a major deception operation,” Geagea added, accusing the FPM chief of seeking to “trade off rightful national files for personal gains.”