Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces party, highlighted in an interview with the Saudi newspaper 'Okaz' that their long-standing call to limit weapons to state control and strengthen sovereignty has borne significant results over the past two decades.
Geagea noted that while the only person to suggest possible Syrian military intervention in Lebanon was former U.S. President Donald Trump, there is regional consensus, spanning from Turkey to Saudi Arabia, against such intervention.
When questioned about his persistence in advocating for the disarmament of Hezbollah, Geagea mentioned that this effort is not futile. He argued that Lebanon has traversed more than half the journey towards governance structures significantly different from those of previous administrations. He pointed to current negotiations with Israel in Washington, a path challenged by Hezbollah due to its ties to Iran, as evidence of progress.
Responding to questions about his political strategy, Geagea asserted that the political process requires patience and consistent advocacy. He emphasized that political change is a cumulative process in Lebanon, and majority consensus should guide governance, contrasting it with minority-imposed decisions.
Despite ongoing regional conflicts and their potential escalation, Geagea believes that Lebanon is strategically separating its crises from broader regional disputes, notably through actions taken by the Lebanese government led by the President and Prime Minister in Washington.
Geagea expressed optimism that Lebanon is moving towards becoming an independent state with decision-making authority. He acknowledged that while Iran influences Hezbollah, its military power in Lebanon has substantially weakened, limiting its ability to alter the current peace track involving Israel.
Geagea reiterated that Lebanon will not request Syrian intervention, highlighting that President Assad of Syria is not inclined to endanger his regime by engaging in such actions.
Geagea mentioned recent diplomatic exchanges, including discussions with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Shuaibi, regarding a potential visit to Damascus. He expressed a genuine interest in this visit as a step towards reinforcing Lebanese-Syrian relations in a new phase, given security considerations across border areas.
Conclusively, Geagea conveyed a measured optimism, noting that the current rhetoric and actions from the Syrian side are reassuring. He emphasized the importance of remaining analytical and awaiting further developments to better assess the bilateral relations in the coming days.