Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea affirmed that "the presidency is not a consolation prize, neither on the internal level nor concerning strategic equations," stressing that "our only demand is for the next president to be a true president, in every sense of the word, and not just a figure hanging in the Baabda Palace. Therefore, we will not accept the election of a president who ensures the continuity of the current situation."
Geagea also clarified that "the implementation of Resolution 1701 has no relation, directly or indirectly, to the presidential seat. Whoever wants to implement any matter must either be convinced of it or not. And whoever wants to provide an alternative to something achievable should do so from their own resources, not from ours, which we completely reject."
Geagea's remarks came during the annual dinner for the Baabda Coordinating Committee of the Lebanese Forces, held in Maarab, in the presence of: MP Nazih Metni, former MP Anis Nassar, former assistant secretary for regional affairs Joseph Abu Jaoudeh, regional coordinator Tony Bader, several members of the central council, and other regional coordinators, along with media figures and a crowd of Lebanese Forces supporters.
Geagea described the role of the actual president, stating, "He is the one who rebuilds the currently non-existent state and implements reforms, and he has no connection with all the parties that held power in the past period, as they are directly responsible for how things have turned out. Naturally, whoever wants to implement reforms will not do so against themselves."
Regarding the extension of the army chief's term, Geagea pointed out that the Lebanese Forces were not the only ones seeking this direction, but they were the spearhead and the main driver of it, playing a central role in this matter, managing to maintain stability in the military institution and internal security forces. He added, "After completing this extension, many began to question why the Forces did not play the same role in the presidential entitlement, knowing that we are fully prepared and will do everything we can to hold the presidential elections as soon as possible, especially since we have no personal interest in this matter. From here, we enjoy the freedom to move towards achieving the desired outcomes, but we have one demand: for the next president to be a true president. We do not demand a specific personality or any specific interest, nor are we seeking ministries, portfolios, or any personal gain."
Geagea responded to those who "criticize us for holding Christmas celebrations and other activities amid the current conditions," stating that the truth contradicts this belief. "The harder the circumstances, the more we must cling to pursuing our lives normally, as a means of giving ourselves a dose of hope and determination to face these situations, not to succumb."
For his part, Metni delivered a speech, stating: "Despair or surrender is forbidden. Those who swim when they surrender drown and die. It is our duty to remain steadfast in the face of all crises, so that the entire world knows that Lebanon cannot perish, as it has a history of thousands of years. Its face will never change; it will always remain Lebanon of art, music, the future, and life."
