Lebanese Forces Party Leader Renews Support for Timely Parliamentary Elections
Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea has reiterated his support for holding parliamentary elections on schedule. He praised the positions taken by President Joseph Aoun, a Syriac Maronite, during his recent visit to Bkerke. Geagea emphasized that the responsibility now lies with the executive authority and the presidency to prevent any obstruction of the electoral process.
Support for President Aoun’s Position
Geagea described President Aoun’s insistence on respecting constitutional deadlines as "a very good position." He noted that placing responsibility on Parliament to amend the electoral law in order to enable the elections is an accurate assignment of duties. However, he criticized what he called a "systematic obstruction" by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, accusing him of refusing to convene sessions to discuss the required amendments.
Call to Action
In a direct message to the president, Geagea called for moving beyond verbal statements to a more binding constitutional step by sending a written message to Parliament. He recalled that the constitution obliges Parliament to convene within three days to discuss any presidential message, calling this move a "last chance to save the electoral deadline" as legal time limits draw near.
Criticism of Hezbollah and Its Weapons
Geagea launched a sharp political attack on Hezbollah’s terrorist militia and its weapons, arguing that they have become "the single greatest factor weakening Lebanon," rather than a source of strength as the militia claims. He said the existence of weapons outside state control has turned Lebanon into "easy prey for Israel" while simultaneously depriving it of support from allies in both East and West.
International Positions on Hezbollah
Geagea noted that international positions—from the United States and Europe to Arab and Gulf countries—have become clear: no support and no reconstruction in the absence of a functioning state and as long as weapons remain outside its authority. He added that reconstruction, which should have begun months ago, remains stalled except for what he described as "symbolic" initiatives.
Economic Concerns
On the economic front, Geagea devoted a significant portion of his speech to explaining why the Lebanese Forces oppose the proposed financial regularization law and the handling of the financial gap. He rejected claims that the party’s stance is driven by populist or electoral motives, arguing that the proposed law lacks clear figures defining the size of the financial gap, provides no mechanisms for addressing it, assigns no responsibility, and does not genuinely guarantee the return of deposits.
The Need for Accountability
Geagea emphasized that the core of the financial crisis cannot be resolved through incomplete legislation, but through identifying real responsibilities, which he traced to the policies of successive governments between 2011 and 2019. During that period, he said, the state was financed using depositors’ funds in violation of the law, with the involvement of the central bank and some other banks. He stressed that accountability should not be limited to one individual, but must encompass an entire system of governments, parliaments, ministers, and oversight bodies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Geagea’s remarks highlighted the importance of timely parliamentary elections, the need to address the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons, and the requirement for a comprehensive approach to the financial crisis. He emphasized that any solution that does not begin with accountability merely postpones the crisis rather than resolving it. With a long-term political project centered on the state and its institutions, Geagea expressed confidence in the party’s political standing, looking forward to the days ahead as an opportunity to overcome the challenges facing Lebanon.
