Geagea: The Solution Starts in Washington and Ends with State Authority… Enough Trading in 'Imaginary Heroism'

Lebanese Forces party leader Samir Geagea said in a statement to Al-Jadeed on Sunday that the anniversary of the Syrian army's withdrawal from Lebanon represents "the glorious day," noting that he was still in detention at the time and received the news with great joy.

Geagea added that Lebanon is today facing a war that has caused enormous losses, affirming that this war comes within the framework of a broader conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, and stressing that the Lebanese state cannot stand by as a spectator despite its limited military capabilities.

He said: Lebanon is a bankrupt state and cannot be called a "homeland" under current circumstances and wars that have nothing to do with the state.

He noted that the Lebanese government has only one means to stop the war — through the United States, which exercises its influence on Israel — pointing out that this is exactly what President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are doing.

Geagea clarified that these are not days for "speeches and imaginary heroics," reminding that people are dying every day, stressing the necessity of letting others complete their work, and adding that Hezbollah is the cause of what is happening in Lebanon.

The Lebanese Forces leader affirmed that setting meeting dates, who negotiates and how, is the exclusive prerogative of the President of the Republic.

Geagea addressed the issue of Hezbollah's "military wing," explaining that considering this wing to be outside the law remained a decision that was never implemented on the ground.

He stressed that the state must act and extend its authority throughout Lebanon by all possible means, affirming that the greatest force on the ground is the Lebanese state and that the current parliament is elected by the Lebanese people.

Geagea concluded his statement by saying that whoever has another way out of the war beyond Washington talks should present it or stay silent, pointing out that what happened in Sakiet al-Janzir clearly shows there is major internal work to be done before negotiations.