Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea considered that opening the southern front was not merely a “mistake” but a “major sin” against the Lebanese people as well as the Palestinian cause. He stressed that the situation in Lebanon cannot tolerate waiting for what will happen in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas. “The Lebanese government cannot wait any longer to take measures,” he added.

Geagea wondered what was actually achieved for Gaza. He emphasized that the aim of opening this front was to strengthen the Iranian axis more than anything else.

In an interview with Independent Arabia, Geagea addressed the Arab League, which includes 22 countries, and asked, “Why is Lebanon alone among all these countries equally concerned with what is happening in Gaza right now?” He also wondered why Lebanon, “the smallest and least populous, with the smallest economy among all these countries, along with a presidential vacancy, is to support Gaza?”

He called on the caretaker government, headed by Najib Mikati, to take decisive and urgent measures immediately. “Why doesn’t the government unilaterally implement UN Resolution 1701?” he asked, questioning what the problem would be if the Lebanese Army deployed in southern Lebanon. where Hezbollah is currently stationed.

Geagea said that “there cannot be an actual state in Lebanon with Hezbollah in its current mode.” Therefore, “if we want to preserve our nation within its internationally recognized borders, there must be a state, and for there to be a state, the party cannot continue in its current form,” he added.

The LF leader suggested that the key to solving major crises in Lebanon is “unfortunately Iran.” “Should Iran ask Hezbollah to withdraw, allowing the Lebanese Army to deploy, this would stop any potential escalation, after which stability might return to Lebanon, enabling us to tackle our internal problems,” he said.

He noted that “Lebanon is in a cell deep underground, and we do not know when the day will come for it to emerge, but we must not drown in the bleak moment we are experiencing.”