March 14 is still "persistent and strong"
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stressed that an understanding of the Lebanese reality and the protection of the country were linked to the regional arena and especially the Iranian nuclear program, which was why it was necessary to distance Lebanon from this conflict. He then corroborated that the relations with Saad Hariri were excellent and that “Syria is the one that approached March 14, not the other way around.”
However, Geagea expressed concerns, saying, “Lebanon is being placed in the eye of the storm, but the country is doing well.
The situation in the Middle East region is not sound. There is a lot of tension along the Western-Iranian axis, but this does not necessarily settle the issue of whether or not Iran has the right to acquire nuclear arms. Unfortunately however, the issue is no longer limited to Iran and the West and has reached China and Syria.
The sustainment of the regime in the Islamic Republic has become linked to these nuclear arms. Therefore, the theory saying that Iran will maneuver, [get] earn gains then relinquish its program is false. Iran will proceed with its program, whether calmly or fast, which will entail a military clash in the region. However, it is too early to define which sides will engage in this conflict, recognizing that Hezbollah, which is a key component of the nation, will be implicated one way or another. This is what I mean when I say that Lebanon is in the eye of the storm. As an official, I believe that Lebanon should be distanced from the dangerous developments in the region. Some perceive this inclination as being isolationist.
In ancient times, human beings used to sit still to avoid the attack of a fierce animal. Therefore, in order to avoid an attack from Israel, we must calm down. No one is entitled to make any sudden moves.”
Geagea was asked, “But is Hezbollah not calm?” to which he replied, “We must respect Resolution 1701 and implement it verbatim. We must earn an international consensus over our commitment, which is not available for the time being.” He then denied that the Lebanese Forces were counting on the American-Israeli project.
“What I said about Iran is not my reading alone. It is a reading that is heard in the ranks of many sides, including study centers around the world.” But why does Geagea always put himself in a confrontation with Hezbollah? He does not deny it, saying, “Hezbollah is the one proposing initiatives and political projects in the country and one only engages in confrontations or alliances with the side playing the biggest role. Today, Hezbollah is the biggest player, not the Mourabitoun. There are many parties but their positions are traditional and non-influential. However, Hezbollah can take the country 180 degrees left or right by any step it makes. It is therefore necessary to follow its action, especially since it can lead the entire country toward the abyss, whether knowingly or unknowingly, based on good intentions or bad intentions. Hezbollah has its reading and we have ours.”
Geagea refused to discuss Hezbollah’s document in full, stating, “I am still reading it. I would like to read it thoroughly. However, I would also like to comment on one point, that of Wilayat al- Faqih [the Authority of the Jurisprudent]. What Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said about the Wilayat al-Faqih being a religious and ideological issue solely is not true. Wilayat al-Faqih is everything.
It is not related to one aspect of a believer’s life, rather to his entire life and that of the community which politics is part of.
Based on that the Wali al-Faqih hold the political decision in the nation and is the one to settle all issues after consulting with the scholars in this or that area. If I were to imagine him today, the Wali al-Faqih would adopt his decisions based on the interests of the nation, i.e. on the interests of one billion Muslims, thus placing the interests of the nation above any others and above those of the four million Lebanese people. This is where we disagree with Hezbollah. To us, the interests of the four million Lebanese are above all others.”
Asked whether or not he will visit Syria, Samir Geagea answered in a diplomatic way, saying, “I do not hold an official position such that I visit Syria. I cannot visit Syria unless the Lebanese state were to settle all the pending issues with Damascus, namely the dossier of the missing, the Syrian military bases under Palestinian cover in Lebanon… and the demarcation dossier, especially in Shebaa.” He added that Syria adopted many steps to overcome the Western threat that was imposed on it, saying, “We did not head in Syria’s direction as some of its allies are saying. Syria was the one which grew closer to us.” He was also asked, “You say that March 14 is still present?” to which he answered, “March 14 is still present and is stronger than ever. The proof of that is the fact that it won all the unionist and university elections.
[Walid Jumblatt’s] supporters are still part of it and they have backed the March 14 candidates in many universities and unions.” On the other hand, Geagea did not deny the obstruction of the translation of these victories since the parliamentary elections until this day, due to numerous developments, saying however, “When your feet are on the ground, the translation of these victories can be done at any point in time. Our bases are unchanged, although I will not conceal the fact that they are concerned. Nonetheless, at the level of the top, the meetings of the general secretariat are sufficient.”