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- Geagea: We Want a Serious President who Exasperates Hezbollah
While the quintet (the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar) tries once again to break the deadlock in the presidential election, the head of the Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, defined the characteristics of the future head of state: a "serious president who exasperates Hezbollah, in the sense that he would be able to put an end to their actions" that have undermined the Lebanese state over the years.
In an interview with MTV's Sar el-Waet talk show, the leader of the Lebanese forces firmly stated his unwillingness to make any concessions regarding the presidential election. However, he did express a receptiveness to the possibility of a third candidate, a consideration currently being discussed by the five-nation group. "The Qatari envoy, who is in Lebanon today, is still trying to convince Amal and Hezbollah to accept the option of a third candidate (other than Sleiman Frangieh for the shiite tandem and Jihad Azour for the opposition). But it is not a question of choosing just any candidate. The presidency cannot be a compromise or a consolation prize. We want a serious president, with the minimum characteristics that any head of state should have,” he emphasized.
He stressed that the new president must also "exasperate Hezbollah, in the sense that he should be able to put an end to its behavior." At the same time, however, he noted that the pro-Iranian group had hardened its position because of the situation in the region and the war in Gaza.
"All successive presidents in Lebanon since the Taif agreement have exhibited a degree of leniency towards Hezbollah, to the extent that it eventually gained control over the country," Geagea complained.
The Amal-Hezbollah tandem remains committed to the candidacy of Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh, which the Lebanese Forces rejects. "If Frangieh is elected, his governance will align with Amal and Hezbollah, with Gebran Bassil serving as a Christian ally," Geagea said. He reassured that former minister Jihad Azour will persist as the opposition candidate, and that Gebran Bassil will vote for him if the speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, convenes an electoral meeting.
Samir Geagea, who paid tribute to Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, remained vague on whether he would support Aoun's candidacy. "This does not mean that this option has been rejected. But for the moment, if a parliamentary election meeting is called, we will vote for Jihad Azour," he insisted.
The quintet’s ambassadors in Lebanon held a meeting on Thursday at the residence of the Saudi ambassador, Walid Bukhari, to discuss a roadmap for a settlement in Lebanon based on the unblocking of the presidential elections.
Gaza’s war and the Hezbollah
Commenting on the explosive situation on the southern border and Hezbollah's involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Geagea insisted that exchanging fire with Israel at the southern front "does not help Gaza." "What Hezbollah is doing in southern Lebanon allows them to maintain a certain presence, along with Iran, in the political regional equation, because it has no direct influence on the course of events in Gaza," he explained.
However, he pointed out that Hezbollah "is careful not to go too far in its confrontation with Israel because the balance of power (in this war) is not in its favor." Nevertheless, he added, "this group has put Lebanon in danger. We do not want war to break out, but we are seriously afraid of it because it will be destructive".
More generally, he regarded the pro-Iranian group as "the most significant issue currently confronting the country." In this context, he criticized the caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, for aligning with Hezbollah's stance, particularly in linking a ceasefire in southern Lebanon to a cessation of hostilities in Gaza. Geagea described this speech as "unacceptable because of its unpredictable consequences."
"In the absence of a president, a government typically handles day-to-day affairs; however, during wartime, it must fully assume its responsibilities. Whoever holds power must wield it to regain control of the situation. Adhering to Security Council Resolution 1701 is imperative, as the whole world is urging us to do so. Asserting an inability to comply is completely unacceptable," he said, denouncing a power crisis in Lebanon. According to him, the system is no longer functioning, largely due to Hezbollah's influence. He ironically remarked that "some are still clinging to the era of tutelage," suggesting that the pro-Iranian Moumanaa axis should take a break and allow the opposition to form a government for which it will assume responsibility.
In an interview with MTV's Sar el-Waet talk show, the leader of the Lebanese forces firmly stated his unwillingness to make any concessions regarding the presidential election. However, he did express a receptiveness to the possibility of a third candidate, a consideration currently being discussed by the five-nation group. "The Qatari envoy, who is in Lebanon today, is still trying to convince Amal and Hezbollah to accept the option of a third candidate (other than Sleiman Frangieh for the shiite tandem and Jihad Azour for the opposition). But it is not a question of choosing just any candidate. The presidency cannot be a compromise or a consolation prize. We want a serious president, with the minimum characteristics that any head of state should have,” he emphasized.
He stressed that the new president must also "exasperate Hezbollah, in the sense that he should be able to put an end to its behavior." At the same time, however, he noted that the pro-Iranian group had hardened its position because of the situation in the region and the war in Gaza.
"All successive presidents in Lebanon since the Taif agreement have exhibited a degree of leniency towards Hezbollah, to the extent that it eventually gained control over the country," Geagea complained.
The Amal-Hezbollah tandem remains committed to the candidacy of Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh, which the Lebanese Forces rejects. "If Frangieh is elected, his governance will align with Amal and Hezbollah, with Gebran Bassil serving as a Christian ally," Geagea said. He reassured that former minister Jihad Azour will persist as the opposition candidate, and that Gebran Bassil will vote for him if the speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, convenes an electoral meeting.
Samir Geagea, who paid tribute to Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, remained vague on whether he would support Aoun's candidacy. "This does not mean that this option has been rejected. But for the moment, if a parliamentary election meeting is called, we will vote for Jihad Azour," he insisted.
The quintet’s ambassadors in Lebanon held a meeting on Thursday at the residence of the Saudi ambassador, Walid Bukhari, to discuss a roadmap for a settlement in Lebanon based on the unblocking of the presidential elections.
Gaza’s war and the Hezbollah
Commenting on the explosive situation on the southern border and Hezbollah's involvement in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Geagea insisted that exchanging fire with Israel at the southern front "does not help Gaza." "What Hezbollah is doing in southern Lebanon allows them to maintain a certain presence, along with Iran, in the political regional equation, because it has no direct influence on the course of events in Gaza," he explained.
However, he pointed out that Hezbollah "is careful not to go too far in its confrontation with Israel because the balance of power (in this war) is not in its favor." Nevertheless, he added, "this group has put Lebanon in danger. We do not want war to break out, but we are seriously afraid of it because it will be destructive".
More generally, he regarded the pro-Iranian group as "the most significant issue currently confronting the country." In this context, he criticized the caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, for aligning with Hezbollah's stance, particularly in linking a ceasefire in southern Lebanon to a cessation of hostilities in Gaza. Geagea described this speech as "unacceptable because of its unpredictable consequences."
"In the absence of a president, a government typically handles day-to-day affairs; however, during wartime, it must fully assume its responsibilities. Whoever holds power must wield it to regain control of the situation. Adhering to Security Council Resolution 1701 is imperative, as the whole world is urging us to do so. Asserting an inability to comply is completely unacceptable," he said, denouncing a power crisis in Lebanon. According to him, the system is no longer functioning, largely due to Hezbollah's influence. He ironically remarked that "some are still clinging to the era of tutelage," suggesting that the pro-Iranian Moumanaa axis should take a break and allow the opposition to form a government for which it will assume responsibility.
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