The head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, confirmed that the Lebanese Forces will not accept a new president for the republic "no matter who he is or how he is." He stated that no one wants a president who poses a challenge, and all they are asking for is a president capable of initiating the required rescue operation after Lebanon has reached such a dire state. If they consider this president to be a "challenging president," then so be it.
Geagea spoke during the launch of the "Northern Bekaa Circle" for the benefit of student affairs of the Lebanese Forces in the presence of MP Antoine Habshi, coordinator of Northern Bekaa Elias Bou Rafoul, head of the student affairs department Abdo Imad, members of the central council, and a gathering of students from the area. He emphasized that "the awaited president must possess a clear project and proposal to undertake the actual rescue plan, make necessary reforms, and restore authority to the state, while the other team speaks of a consensus president, which in the best case means a president who 'does nothing', or a president who acts in his own interest, as happened in the past six years. From this standpoint, we will not accept 'any president' because that would be a great crime."
He continued: "They call for the necessity of 'consensus on a president' unusually, at a time when they refuse consensus on other matters such as strategic and war decisions and monopolize them. They talk about a president outside of alignments, which means they are asking for a president without a stance, thus electing a person who cannot manage the situation and rescue the country from its crisis."
The "Lebanese Forces" leader reiterated the importance of pursuing efforts and attempts to agree on a president who can successfully manage the rescue operation and implement the required reforms and, at the very least, restore strategic, security, and military decisions to the Lebanese state.
He pointed out that "no region has given a party 90% of the votes except for 'Northern Bekaa', where the Lebanese Forces won this percentage in the latest elections." He added, "Since I started engaging in real political work, I have always been surrounded by the people of Deir al-Ahmar; however, I never felt that there were borders separating Bsharri from Deir al-Ahmar, which I consider very significant and feel a strong connection to for sentimental reasons, as it is just like my village. Nevertheless, I do not allow this affiliation to influence any decisions I make, as my responsibility spans across all of Lebanon."
In response to a question about the necessity of putting a security plan to limit disturbances in the area and the proliferation of illegal weapons, he clarified that it is "a political problem, and efforts are focused on that; however, it requires a Lebanese authority that assumes its responsibilities and restores decisions to the state, which underscores the importance of bringing in a new president for the republic who works towards achieving this goal and forming a government that follows the same path."
For his part, Bou Rafoul indicated that "he began his party work within the 'Students Department' before moving abroad, so the nostalgia for this department remains." He added, "Before 1994, the 'Lebanese Forces' were for us the 'Zayti' and the free climate in our region, but after the arrest of 'the wise one', we faced significant challenges, as there was virtually no presence of the forces in our area. The year 1994 was a link in a chain, but in 1995 we worked on gathering ourselves and reaffirmed the theory 'we were not afraid of them, but they were afraid of us' and began developing student work until we reached a pivotal event, which was Pope John Paul II's visit to Lebanon when pictures of Geagea and flags of the Lebanese Forces were raised, followed by a significant point in the sequence, including municipal elections in which we achieved some goals, but the foundation for starting in the students' department was the student elections at the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the second branch."
Bou Rafoul noted that "the people of Deir al-Ahmar were present at every stage and formed a prominent body within society due to their affiliation with the 'Lebanese Forces'; thus, what we have achieved today is a historical integration that began with ancestors and parents and continued with the youth." He stressed that "if it weren't for the students, we wouldn't have continued; hence their role is essential and pivotal in the party, and there is great trust in them to carry on the march."
Imad saw that "the Northern Bekaa Circle is new within the student department in the party's organizational framework, but certainly, it is not so in regard to the department and the 'Lebanese Forces.' In every cell or circle or during any activity, students from this area are present because they, like all their people, have commitment, pride, and sacrifice."
He added: "Victories in student, optional, municipal, and parliamentary elections are very important, as well as conducting activities in universities and schools, but the most important thing is to understand how to transfer expertise and knowledge and use it in our area within our centers and coordinations. You are today resistance fighters in the 'Northern Bekaa' area through your culture, education, certificates, and work in the public interest for our case and our country."
He also considered that "the student department is a reservoir for the party, but it should not remain closed; otherwise, the student's role ends after they leave. Therefore, efforts are focused on making this department the heart that pumps the new generation into all party units and regions. It is unacceptable for students at universities to be 'on paper' while in their regions they are 'marginalized'. It is impossible for us to be 'forces for so-and-so' but rather we must be 'Lebanese Forces' serving our country, as we have been, learned, and will continue to be."
The head of the "Northern Bekaa" student department, Charbel Habshi, affirmed that "the students of the area will continue the path of our ancestors, families, and comrades who fell and watered the land with their blood by committing to the slogan of 'our free existence,' as we learned from them that martyrdom is for the strong. They fell so that we may remain, and we will remain. However, freedom for us is not an inheritance, even though 'we are all Forces'; it is an 'act of faith.'"
While thanking Geagea and the executive authority for the decision to establish the circle, he addressed the students of the area, saying: "Our work, morals, and commitment is hope. Today, we have become part of the student department, meaning the responsibility has become greater, so we have started putting a practical vision called 2024, which aims to intensify our efforts through activities aimed at organizing and applying the party's vision to build generations that continue the march."
Habshi pointed out the ongoing cooperation and coordination with the coordination for the benefit of the "Northern Bekaa" area on one side and with the "Students Department" on the other to make the unit of work an essential pillar reflecting on the students' interests.
The meeting was introduced by Tatyana Geagea, who pointed to the fact that the "Northern Bekaa" area has not been intimidated by an occupier and raised pictures of "the wise one" throughout 11 years during the Syrian occupation, emerging victorious in its resilience at a time when no one dared to challenge its people, who possess the broad hearts resembling its plains and the tough pride likened to its rocks; the difficult circumstances have led them to cling more strongly to their cause, raising their morale, as they are "steadfast, revolutionary, and committed" at a time of despair and fatigue, during which many Lebanese have left.
She concluded: "The battle of the young men and women of the region is different from other regions as it is existential, political, and developmental in the face of groups claiming to be parties 'representing God,' posing a significant danger not only due to their illegal weapons and drugs but also to their control over all state administrations through the 'mafia-militia' alliance, which has led us to 'hell.' However, their immunity is strong, and their foundations are solid, nurtured by 'Lady Beshwat'."
