Lebanon is protected first by God and the state of Lebanon
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Wednesday called for banning weapons in north Lebanon and gatherings by partisans of all political factions to avoid non-desired repercussions of the Bsarma shooting.
Geagea, addressing a press conference at his residence in Meerab, also said he is ready for reconciliation with Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh provided no other faction takes part in it to "avert political investment."
Geagea disclosed that Lebanese Forces partisans in Bsarma had lodged a complaint with the police station in the city of Amioun at 11pm Tuesday against "threats."
He asked why Marada official Youssef Franjieh, who was killed in the shooting, was dispatched from Bnishii to Bsarma although he is in charge of Franhieh”s security guards.
The Bsarma shooting, according to Geagea, was not spontaneous "it dates six months back and I had sent messages to Franjieh asking him to cool down his people particularly in Bsarma to avoid trouble because they were constantly attacking our flags and placards."
Geagea, after calling for wisdom and self-restraint, said the state of Lebanon should be the only authority that protects its citizens.
"The Lebanese Forces in the north and the rest of Lebanon is protected first by God and the state of Lebanon."
However, Geagea said: "If the state ceased to exist we would find a way (to protect ourselves."
The ban he called for on gatherings by partisans of political factions does not include a mass scheduled for Sunday in remembrance of Lebanese Forces "martyrs," Geagea explained.