Geagea Urges Hizbullah to Return to Lebanese Fold: State's Fate Lies in Suleiman, Salam's Hands
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged Hizbullah to withdraw its fighters, hand over its weapons to the state, become part of the Lebanese fold, and limit its losses, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.
He told the daily: “I hope President Michel Suleiman and Primer Minister-designate Tammam Salam will assume their responsibilities until the very end because the fate of the state depends on what they do.”
He stressed the need to form a new government and avoid political vacuum, saying that he prefers the formation of a neutral cabinet over one comprised of non-party officials, but he supports either line-up.
Commenting on the instability in Lebanon, Geagea said: “The situation is complicated and the future is not clear, especially regarding the parliamentary and presidential elections, in light of Hizbullah's policy of obstructing all state institutions.”
He ruled out however the eruption of a new civil war in Lebanon, adding that the situation in the country is linked to the unrest in Syria and it also lies in the hands of the Lebanese people themselves.
“At the moment however Hizbullah is Lebanon's only problem,” he stressed.
“I am not seeking to eliminate Hizbullah from the political scene in Lebanon, but I want to eliminate the means in which it is compromising the state,” he added.
Addressing the security situation in Lebanon, he said that he fears that assassination attempts against officials would take place, saying that it is preferable that former Premier Saad Hariri return to Lebanon, “but I cannot call on him to come back because I cannot assume the responsibility of this action.”
Hariri has been residing abroad for over a year due to alleged threats on his life.
Geagea also noted that the recent rockets that were fired in the Baabda region were a message to Suleiman over his recent criticism of Hizbullah's fighting in Syria.
“They do not want to silence him, but they want him to stop taking such stances,” he remarked.
“I do not rule out the possibility that they will send him other messages that will hit closer to home,” he warned.
Asked if a direct threat could be directed against the president, he responded: “Why not? Former Premier Rafik Hariri was assassinated” so nothing can be ruled out.
“We are still counting on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon” to create changes in Lebanon, Geagea said.
Two 107 mm rockets were fired in the Baabda area on Army Day on August 1.
One of the rockets landed in the garden of the Freiha villa that is located near the Officers' Club and presidential palace.
The second rocket landed near the Khashoqji castle in al-Yarzeh.
The attack came on the same day that Suleiman gave a speech on the occasion of Army Day in which he criticized Hizbullah's involvement in the Syrian war in support of President Bashar Assad's forces.
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