Geagea Urges Suleiman to Maintain Contacts with Political Powers as Substitute to Dialogue
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea renewed on Friday his rejection of the resumption of the national dialogue, hailing President Michel Suleiman's ongoing consultations with various political powers.
He said during a press conference: “We urge Suleiman to maintain his bilateral consultations as a substitute for dialogue.”
“The current dialogue table is a waste of time and it is being used to cover up the developments on the ground in Lebanon,” he said.
He listed Hizbullah and the March 8 camp's repeated violations of national dialogue agreements since 2006, such as its violation of the 2008 Doha accord, refusal to tackle the Palestinian possession of arms that was agreed upon during 2006 dialogue sessions, and its violation of the Baabda Declaration that was reached in June.
“We value Suleiman's invitation to return to the national dialogue, but I would like to say that political life in Lebanon does not exist at the moment,” added Geagea.
“When we voice our rejection to dialogue we mean that we oppose dialogue with some of the current members. In principle, we do not reject dialogue,” he explained.
He then noted how the March 14 camp officials have been restricted to remaining in their houses due to the threat of assassination.
“What kind of political life is this?” wondered the LF leader.
“What kind of political life is this where MP Butros Harb is the victim of a failed assassination attempt aimed solely for gaining a seat in the 2013 parliamentary elections?” he asked.
In July, the opposition MP escaped an attempt on his life when it was discovered that the elevator of his office building was being booby-trapped with explosives.
Addressing Suleiman, Geagea said: “The killing machine in Lebanon must be stopped and you and various security apparatuses are responsible for making this happen.”
“I call on Suleiman to maintain his consultations with various political forces because contacts must continue in Lebanon as dialogue is one of the cornerstones of political life in Lebanon,” he explained.
Furthermore, he rejected proposals that the national dialogue be resumed in order to tackle the formation of a new government.
Geagea explained that there are constitutional mechanisms that dictate how a new cabinet should be established.
“We have never violated constitutional principles,” he stressed.
“The suggestion to hold dialogue to discuss a new government is a trap being set up by the other camp,” he continued.
“It is idiotic to continue the dialogue at a time when unrest and assassinations are taking place in Lebanon,” he noted.
“The resumption of the all-party talks would be tantamount to covering up the instability,” remarked Geagea.
The March 14-led opposition announced its boycott of government-related activity, including the national dialogue, in light of the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan.
Hasan was killed in a massive car bomb in Beirut's Ashrafiyeh district on October 19.
The opposition accused Syria of being behind the murder and blamed the government, which is comprised of Syria's allies, of covering up for it.
Commenting on Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's denial on Sunday that the party was linked to political assassinations in Lebanon, Geagea said the Special Tribunal for Lebanon has accused members of the party of being linked to the 2005 assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri based on evidence.
“Evidence has also indicated that Hizbullah members were linked to the failed attempt on Harb's life,” he added.
Addressing Nasrallah, he asked: “Do you want us to believe that Israel and the United States want to eliminate the March 14 camp? You have the most powerful intelligence apparatus in Lebanon, so tell us who is behind the assassinations.”
The Hizbullah leader had slammed during a speech on Sunday the accusations against the party as “completely baseless.”
The STL accused four Hizbullah members of being involved in Hariri's assassination and it has urged the Lebanese authorities to apprehend them, which it has failed to do.
Nasrallah has said he doubted the four indictees will ever be found and has branded the tribunal a U.S.-Israeli conspiracy aimed at bringing down the party.
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