Samir Geagea Calls Lebanon-Israel Framework Agreement Most Important Step in 50 Years

Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces party, issued a statement regarding the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

He stated that the agreement, overseen by President Joseph Aoun in coordination with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, represents the most important political step taken by the Lebanese state in fifty years. Its purpose is to extract Lebanon and its citizens from the tragic predicament caused by successive "resistances" in the southern region.

Geagea emphasized that the framework agreement is not limited to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and the return of southern residents to their villages. Once implemented, it will permanently close the bleeding wound in southern Lebanon that has caused suffering to all Lebanese, especially the people of the south. This wound has undermined stability, disrupted national and political work to varying degrees, and triggered economic and financial collapses affecting every household in Lebanon.

Contrary to claims by various "resistance" factions, this bleeding wound has not contributed even slightly to the Palestinian cause, while repeatedly devastating Lebanon. Furthermore, the framework agreement, when applied, will not only remove Israeli presence and close this wound but also resolve a major national issue that Lebanon has faced for the past fifty years: the existence of military organizations outside state control, primarily Hezbollah. These groups make decisions regarding war and peace based on their own interests and external influences, disregarding Lebanon’s and its citizens’ interests. This situation has weakened the Lebanese state and diminished its credibility among Lebanon’s allies in the East and West.

Additionally, the agreement will expel the unlimited and illegitimate Iranian influence from Lebanese decision-making circles. This influence has steered Lebanon’s positions and choices toward serving Iranian interests rather than those of Lebanon and its people. The agreement aims to restore Lebanon-Iran relations to their state from half a century ago: normal diplomatic relations between two states for the benefit of their peoples.

Addressing those who now denounce the agreement as a source of discord, Geagea recalled that discord arose when the Taif Agreement was applied unevenly in security and military sectors, benefiting some groups and not others, based on weak excuses that no one accepted. The greatest evidence of this is Lebanon’s current situation. He also noted that those protesting now about the ceasefire agreement failed to act when violations began in 1964, instead lamenting its collapse today.

Geagea reminded all, especially critics claiming the agreement lacks legitimacy or disregards certain Lebanese groups’ opinions, that the legitimate authority in Lebanon currently consists of the president, government, and parliament, as in most countries. President Joseph Aoun, who supervised the agreement’s completion, was legitimately elected by 99 out of 128 deputies. The government received confidence votes twice, securing nearly two-thirds of the parliament elected by the Lebanese people.

In conclusion, Geagea described this agreement as the greatest opportunity for Lebanon to emerge from the tragic conditions experienced over the past fifty years. He urged everyone to embrace it and support the legitimate authorities to overcome the crisis swiftly, rather than wasting time on outdated proposals and empty heroics that have long lost relevance and exhausted the Lebanese people.