Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has announced plans for a protest sit-in in Brussels on May 27, simultaneously with the international conference on Syria.
During a televised interview on Thursday evening, Geagea criticized “the weakness of Lebanese authorities, particularly successive governments,” in managing the issue of the Syrian massive presence in Lebanon.
Geagea reiterated that controlling this presence is a sovereigntist decision “which may be taken by what remains of the Lebanese State.” In this context, he pointed to the recent decision by the United Kingdom to deport any migrant found illegally residing on its soil to Rwanda, as an example.
According to Geagea, Lebanese security services, especially General Security, “can immediately start enforcing Lebanese laws and repatriate Syrians residing illegally in the country.”
He explained the staunch opposition to the European donation of one billion dollars, attributing it to fears of Syrians remaining in Lebanon.
Geagea hinted that his party's parliamentary bloc might break from its customary boycott and attend Wednesday's session, “to understand the essence of this donation.” “We aim to understand what Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union, conveyed to Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati,” he said, noting that the decision to participate or not would be made during Monday's bloc meeting. According to Geagea, Wednesday's session “is not legislative,” and “the donation could be accepted if not conditioned.”
The FL leader announced plans for a popular sit-in in Brussels on May 27, coinciding with the international donors' conference on Syria. He “called upon all Lebanese residents in Europe to participate in this protest” and noted that a memorandum detailing Lebanese remarks regarding the Syrian massive presence in the country would be presented to the participants.
Lebanese officials will be at the meeting, and shall in particular plead for change in European policy towards the Syrian dossier.
On a different note, the FL leader once again downplayed the importance of the inter-Christian gatherings in Bkerkeh, scheduled to resume on Friday, considering that they will not yield successful outcomes. These meetings, it should be noted, are intended to facilitate a kind of Christian consensus on issues such as the presidential election and illegal arms.
During a televised interview on Thursday evening, Geagea criticized “the weakness of Lebanese authorities, particularly successive governments,” in managing the issue of the Syrian massive presence in Lebanon.
Geagea reiterated that controlling this presence is a sovereigntist decision “which may be taken by what remains of the Lebanese State.” In this context, he pointed to the recent decision by the United Kingdom to deport any migrant found illegally residing on its soil to Rwanda, as an example.
According to Geagea, Lebanese security services, especially General Security, “can immediately start enforcing Lebanese laws and repatriate Syrians residing illegally in the country.”
He explained the staunch opposition to the European donation of one billion dollars, attributing it to fears of Syrians remaining in Lebanon.
Geagea hinted that his party's parliamentary bloc might break from its customary boycott and attend Wednesday's session, “to understand the essence of this donation.” “We aim to understand what Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union, conveyed to Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati,” he said, noting that the decision to participate or not would be made during Monday's bloc meeting. According to Geagea, Wednesday's session “is not legislative,” and “the donation could be accepted if not conditioned.”
The FL leader announced plans for a popular sit-in in Brussels on May 27, coinciding with the international donors' conference on Syria. He “called upon all Lebanese residents in Europe to participate in this protest” and noted that a memorandum detailing Lebanese remarks regarding the Syrian massive presence in the country would be presented to the participants.
Lebanese officials will be at the meeting, and shall in particular plead for change in European policy towards the Syrian dossier.
On a different note, the FL leader once again downplayed the importance of the inter-Christian gatherings in Bkerkeh, scheduled to resume on Friday, considering that they will not yield successful outcomes. These meetings, it should be noted, are intended to facilitate a kind of Christian consensus on issues such as the presidential election and illegal arms.
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