Geagea Says March 14 Stance on Govt. within 2 Days, Rules Out Vote on Orthodox Law

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Tuesday noted that his recent stance on participation in national dialogue was “personal” and does not reflect March 14's viewpoint, revealing that the coalition will clarify its position over the formation of a new cabinet within the next two days.

In an interview with the Central News Agency, Geagea called on Speaker Nabih Berri to “hold a plenary parliamentary session to approve the draft law” linked to extending the term of Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi.

Geagea ruled out that Berri could put the controversial Orthodox Gathering draft law “on the agenda of the upcoming parliamentary session at the request of some political forces, because he takes into consideration the fact that discussing a new electoral is still possible in light of the progress of consultations among the political forces.”

The LF leader voiced concern over possible “simultaneous” political, governmental and security vacuum in the country as part of “dragging the country into the plot of certain political forces seeking to serve foreign regional interests at the expense of the national Lebanese interest.”

Geagea said Hizbullah's practices over the past few years “have proved that it only cares about its foreign project,” accusing the party of “toppling the government and Prime Minister Najib Miqati with the aim of achieving its own goals and creating further security, political and administrative vacuum in the country.”

He called on “all the patriotic forces in March 14 and the centrist camp to stand firmly in the face of this plot and rescue Lebanon before it's too late.”

Geagea revealed that “the leaders of the March 14 forces are holding nonstop consultations to take a unified stance on the issue of the government, which will be announced within the next two days.”

On Monday, Geagea called for the formation of a technocrat government comprised of March 14 officials and centrists.

On calls that dialogue be held in order to tackle the government vacuum, he said: “Parliamentary consultations should be launched to appoint a new prime minister.”

Dialogue is not necessary because the constitution explains the steps needed in light of the resignation of a government, stated the LF chief.

“Claims that Lebanon's salvation lies in dialogue is a waste of time,” he added.

Any new government should not include members of the March 8 camp and centrists because the caretaker one was comprised of such figures and it demonstrated its failure, Geagea said.