Geagea against Solving Gaza Tragedy at Lebanon Expense
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Friday described Gaza”s current situation as a "great and dangerous tragedy," expressing fear that what is happening in Gaza could spill over in Lebanon.
"One tragedy cannot be solved through another," Geagea told reporters after receiving popular delegations.
"Those that placed rockets in Naqoura wanted to send a clear message saying if pressure is increased on Gaza then the same party that placed the rockets will use south Lebanon to press you (Israel)," he said.
Geagea said that everyone must await the Lebanese armed forces investigation in the matter, adding that no party could operate in southern Lebanon except Hizbullah.
He called on all Lebanese parties not to hurl the people of Lebanon into an inferno for reasons that have nothing to do with the Lebanese cause.
Commenting on Marada leader Suleiman Franjieh”s visit to Bkirki on Thursday, Geagea said: "Following the Taef agreement we are all in a state of reconciliation. The issue of reconciliation is being used to keep people busy. However, I do not believe that reconciliation would change the current political status."
"I hope no one uses violence as a political expression. Let all maintain their political beliefs and put them to work through democratic political work," he said.
The LF leader said he remains willing to reconcile with the Marada leader, adding: "According to the circumstances, if there is anything that calls for it, then I am ready."
Concerning the opening of the Syrian embassy in Beirut, Geagea welcomed the move saying: "Our Syrian brothers are welcome as a diplomatic mission. If the (diplomatic) presence was here before, we would have saved the Lebanese many tragedies."
"The opening of the embassy is a great victory to all forces of independence," Geagea said.
He called on the Syrians to adopt further steps that could place bilateral relations in a "normal and good state."
Regarding Hizbullah arms, Geagea said: "I won”t give this issue more than it could bear. All of us are participating at the national dialogue. The first to remark on the LF Defense Strategy proposal was (Hizbullah) MP Mohammed Raad, who affirmed that our proposal was well prepared."
He refused to comment further on the issue saying: "Once all remarks are made on the subject we would make our own."
"We have to adopt the political logic to avoid confrontation against Lebanon. From this basis we presented the idea of neutrality because there is the Swiss model and we can apply it," he said.
Geagea compared his defense strategy proposal with that of Reform and Change parliamentary bloc leader MP Michel Aoun saying: "His proposal is based on keeping Hizbullah as is while arming the Lebanese without any specific framework."
"Aoun”s proposal is outside the legitimate framework, while ours as LF is from within it. If his proposal calls for establishing special forces at all Lebanese regions working under the orders of the Lebanese armed forces, then this is something that we don”t reject," Geagea concluded.