The head of the "Lebanese Forces" party, Samir Geagea, asked, "What is the problem if the army is stationed at the borders and Hezbollah withdraws, so we can end this story?" pointing out that "the Lebanese army is symbolically and visually present in the south, and what is required today is for the army to actually take charge of security, which it has never done in the south." In an interview with MTV, he noted, "There are 22 Arab countries in the Arab League, why is Lebanon alone in the eye of the storm? There are 57 countries in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, of which Lebanon is a member; why is Lebanon alone in the eye of the storm? Hezbollah is monopolizing the decisions of the Lebanese state." He emphasized that "a grave danger looms over Lebanon as the situation in the Middle East is insane, and there is a crazy government in Israel, and only God knows where things could go, so why do we have to endure all these losses when solutions are within our reach?"
He argued that "Hezbollah does not implement what is stated in the Taif Agreement and the constitution regarding Lebanon and the situation in the south. We live in a country where it seems that our decision has been kidnapped, and the priority in Lebanon appears to be in favor of the Islamic Republic of Iran, with no regard for the interests of the Lebanese people. What the party is doing is a major crime against the southerners first and the Lebanese second," addressing the party, he said: "Get off our backs a bit, and we will show you how we can all become a resistance." He added, "As long as the guards do not sleep, the party can't play."
Geagea continued: "There is an intellectual pollution regarding the presidential election, and we have Najib Mikati as Prime Minister, acting in accordance with the atmosphere of the government he is in. If I were in his place, I wouldn’t accept this mission; this government is one of the 'Government of Consolation,' it is the government of resistance on one side and the Free Patriotic Movement on the other."
Regarding an Israeli attack on Lebanon, he said: "We are in the midst of a great catastrophe; if Israel launches an attack on Lebanon, we will stand with the Lebanese state as much as we can. We will cling to the ropes of affection, as Hezbollah’s project has nothing to do with Lebanon. We don’t encroach upon Hezbollah, but everything happening indicates that its project is not related to Lebanon."
Geagea revealed that they are working with the opposition to sign a petition to present to Speaker Nabih Berri to call for a special legislative session to discuss the situation in the south. He denied what was reported about him betting on Hezbollah losing a war against Israel, saying: "I do not bet on Hezbollah losing, nor do I bet on a war fought by Israel to weaken Hezbollah's capabilities. I can only bet on the strength that is within my hands, not in others'. And even if the war in Gaza ends, Hezbollah will remain with the same parliamentary strength. My bet today is on the activation of its deputies to open the stalled parliament."
Regarding the meeting in Bkerke, Geagea said: "I did not attend due to my security circumstances and sent a representative instead. The meeting was protocol-based, so I thought it best not to attend personally." He questioned, "What is the benefit of the meeting of the four Christian leaders together with the Secretary of State of the Vatican, Pietro Parolin? He will meet with us for a few hours and then leave for the Vatican. But what will happen afterward? Will Gebran Bassil become a saint, and will I become a devil? Some are trying to impose on the Vatican what is not suitable for it; it is a religious and spiritual reference, and envoy Parolin came to Lebanon at the invitation of the Knights of Malta." He explained, "I met personally with the papal envoy for over an hour, away from the media, and we discussed many topics. We and the Kataeb party agreed on the extent of our presence at the Bkerke meeting."
He attacked the Free Patriotic Movement, saying, "The Free Patriotic Movement is one of the three calamities of Lebanon, and after the era of former President Michel Aoun, they are reappearing without reconsidering their accounts."
Regarding the presidential file, Geagea indicated that they are not against dialogue, and they are the most in favor of dialogue, but they oppose the appropriation of the presidency of the council to elect the president of the republic. In the last meeting with Jean-Yves Le Drian and the quintet, three approaches were proposed for serious dialogue, including the National Moderation Initiative.
