Geagea: Aoun”s Tehran Visit Not in Christians” Interest
Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea said that the Shebaa Farms was the primary topic of discussion with Egyptian President Husni Moubarak during his visit to Egypt last week, and added that Egypt could play an active role in resolving the issue. Geagea clarified to Moubarak that the Lebanese and Syrian cabinets could sign an official document that confirms the Lebanese identity of Shebaa Farms and send it to the United Nations. Accordingly, he said, such an action would fall under UNSCR 425 and Israel would then be compelled to withdraw.
In an interview with al-Jazira on Saturday, Geagea also said that Egyptian officials have repeatedly discussed issue of Israel’s withdrawal from Shebaa farms with the American administration. “After retrieving Shebaa Farms and the detainees we should wrap up the situation in Lebanon and put all weapons in the hands of the state,” he said.
Geagea distinguished between his visit to Egypt and that of Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun to Iran. He said Aoun’s visit to Tehran did not match with the interest of Lebanon and the Christians, whereas his visit to Cairo matched with the policy of March 14. He said that Egypt shared a common view with the Lebanese cabinet concerning the emphasis on Lebanon’s freedom, sovereignty, and independence. Egypt looked positively at the exchange of diplomatic relations between Beirut and Damascus, he said, and unlike Iran, Egypt supports Lebanese national sovereignty. Geagea said that Egypt and Saudi Arabia are “friendly states,” while Iran is a “political opponent.”
Asked about American and French policies toward Lebanon, Geagea said that he is relieved that American and French policy toward Lebanon has not changed. He said that France’s rapprochement with Syria serves to maintain Lebanon’s sovereignty. He said that style but not substance has changed in French policy and the biggest proof was the decision to establish Lebanese—Syrian diplomatic ties. “Damascus was not convinced in one night that those relations were crucial, it came as a result of Western and Arab pressures,” he said.
As for reconciliation in the Christian community, Geagea said that a meeting with Marada leader Sleiman Franjieh will concern security tensions in the North, and that is why he questioned Franjieh’s request for Aoun’s attendance.
Geagea said that reconciliation between Hezbollah and the Progressive Socialist Party intends to bring calm to the situation on the ground and avoid a recurrence of violence but was not a full political dialogue. He said his alliance with PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt for upcoming parliamentary elections continues, and added that candidates will be agreed upon later.
Geagea also said he feared Syrian attempts to characterize Lebanon as a hotbed of “terrorism.” “There might be some terrorist networks, however, this does not mean that Lebanon has turned into a hotbed of terrorism,” he said.
Geagea said he was anxious about the March 8 coalition’s behavior in the coming months if it fears 2009 parliamentary election defeat. The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, he said, was possibly related to a similar fear in the build-up to the 2005 parliamentary elections.