Samir Geagea
On March 3, the Lebanese News Agency carried a statement made by Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea during a press conference at his residence in Maarab:
“The strategy of the Free Patriotic Movement is aimed at defaming the images of others, through fabricating lies and changing facts by devious and disgraceful means.
“The Church, headed by Patriarch Mar Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir and the bishops, is very patient. It usually does not make a big deal out of criticisms hurled at it, but when this Church saw that things have crossed red lines, it had to remind [those crossing the red lines] of its code to put an end to these fabrications against Bkirki and the Lebanese Forces and the independent figures of the March 14 forces. Elections should be held with a serious competitive spirit…
“I am reassured that the Lebanese people have started to become aware of the devious means and that political actions are not favorable under these circumstances… If we take a look at the Lebanese situation from 1975 till now, we realize that during 1975-1990, the Christians were able to confront it. But in 1990, the spirit of the demon was integrated into our society, and we started to face one crisis after the other…”
Geagea responded to those claiming that the Christians cannot reach agreements by saying, “It is a simple answer and has to do with the demon that never carries out positive things, but it rather continues to look for the others” disadvantages…”
Why wasn”t the defense strategy addressed at the dialogue session?
Geagea: Many papers [studies] were proposed for the defense strategy. But we are waiting for an action plan by Hezbollah, which has yet to be prepared. We cannot announce a final defense strategy because we need the opinion of the other side. So we are waiting for their paper, and I hope it will be ready in the coming meeting. We will compare many strategies and reach a final version.
On what grounds do you say that the coming session will address the defense strategy?
Geagea: All those who participate in the dialogue session raise this demand, because without this paper [of Hezbollah], we will only be ahead of one paper submitted by the March 14 forces. When the other side proposes its vision, we will reach a final conclusion. I hope the issue of the defense strategy will not be prolonged till after the elections… It is no longer acceptable that the fate of Joseph Sader remains unknown, that a person can simply evaporate in daylight from the heart of Beirut…
When will you announce the candidates of the Lebanese Forces?
Geagea: We will announce them gradually. It was known that the first candidate is Eddie Abillamaa, and I think it is not difficult to expect other candidates in Koura and Batroun and the Chouf.