Samir Geagea
On May 27, the pro-government An-Nahar daily carried the following report:
The head of the Lebanese Forces Executive Committee, Samir Geagea, stated that in case “the opposition wins the parliamentary elections, the group which is close to Iran in Lebanon will come to power. In other words, the existing axis which combines Iran, Iraq and Syria will be complete and Lebanon’s foreign policy will take a turn that is different from its traditional and historical one.”
Geagea then responded to the statements of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in which he said that the victory of the opposition in Lebanon would change the situation in the region and secure the formation of new fronts to enhance the Resistance by saying: “If the opposition wins in the parliamentary elections, Iran will have back up in Lebanon to enhance its position against the opponents and enemies of the existing axis between Iran, Iraq and Syria. This would mean that the Lebanese group which is close to Iran will assume power and allow the completion of this axis, thus enhancing Iran’s position against its rivals, whoever these rivals might be.”
He added: “Moreover, if the opposition wins in these elections, Lebanon’s foreign policy will take a turn that is different from its traditional and historical course. In other words, all the capacities of the Lebanese state and people will be poured into the struggle between the axis which begins in Iran and ends on the Mediterranean shores in Lebanon, and those who are described by Iran as being the opponents and enemies of the Resistance.” He continued: “If the opposition forces win in the elections, priority will not be given to reform, change, balanced development, true partnership and the return of balance to the state administrations and institutions, considering that all these issues will become mere details. If there is one stone left standing in Lebanon, these issues will then be addressed.”
Geagea then considered that the main focus will be placed on Lebanon which “will become another ring in the Iran, Syria and Resistance axis in the face of the rivals… The Lebanese capacities will thus be used to serve this confrontation and battle.”
He indicated: “There are Lebanese politicians who are rushing in this direction, whether with good or bad intentions, and who believe they are engaged in the battle for change and reform, while no one in that axis cares about such things.” On the other hand, regarding the talk that says the bad relations between the Christian forces of March 14 and the head of the Change and Reform Bloc Deputy Michel Aoun existed even before he allied with Hezbollah, Geagea denied this talk and explained: “All the Christians and independent politicians of the Qornet Shehwan meeting were continuously coordinating with the Free Patriotic Movement. The proof of that is the fact that the youths of the movement were at the core of the demonstrations and actions that were witnessed in the past, namely during the Cedars Revolution in 2005.”
He was then asked: “Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called on the Lebanese to vote on June 7 under the slogan of saving Lebanon from monopolization. With what slogan do you call on the Lebanese to vote?”
He stated: “We call on them to vote under the slogan of exiting the predicament in which we have been struggling for thirty years.” He added: “The monopolization mentality is present within all the different groups, and without any exception. It would be sufficient to take a look at what is happening in the General Security directorate, the parliamentary, social security and Health Ministry administrations or the Council of the South among others. However, despite all that, the priority is for the citizens to feel they have a safe and stable country. Once this is secured, the march could begin…”