Geagea believes the solution lies in lifting state restrictions to ensure Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea described the recent Israeli strike on Beirut as a major scandal, noting it occurred just eight months after the November 2024 ceasefire.
Geagea criticized those attributing the attack solely to Israel's aggression, stating, Yes, Israel is aggressive, but what have you done to prevent such aggression? If Israel is forceful, you must act to stop it from acting forcefully and prevent it from striking you.
Geagea stressed that the solution lies in adopting a clear regional and international framework, saying, “We need those who embrace these frameworks to help us resolve our problems. It’s unacceptable for Lebanese citizens to live in constant danger—facing the risk of being struck or killed—when a solution exists.”
He continued: “The solution begins by getting off our backs—and off the state’s back—so that the state can actually function. The way forward is known. Sadly, even those aligned with the state avoid saying it, choosing instead to appease the other side. And every time something happens, the same orchestra plays: ‘The Zionist enemy, the Zionist enemy…’ and that’s where it ends. They fall into a trance, chanting as if drugged: ‘The Zionist enemy!’ But does simply saying ‘Zionist enemy’ solve our problem? Fine—we’ll say ‘the Zionist enemy,’ or even ‘the Zionist enemies,’ if that helps. But will that change anything?”
He continued: “When you ask them what practical solution they have, they respond by saying the international community must take responsibility. It’s baffling—as if the international community is solely focused on our interests as Lebanese people and what we’re going through. The truth is, the international community doesn’t really care. It’s you who must take responsibility first and do the necessary work to prompt international support. That’s the only real path to a solution.”
He added: “But the reality is—they’re doing none of that. It’s useless to keep trying with them. There’s no political reasoning, logical thinking, or realism in their approach. All they do is beat drums and dance to the sound of a 'darbakeh'. What we urgently need is to put an end to this nonsense. Because if we don’t stop it, it won’t stop on its own.”
Geagea emphasized the urgency of halting internal chaos to seize a fleeting opportunity for Lebanon.
He highlighted that international allies, including Gulf nations and the U.S., are willing to assist in ending Israeli aggression and facilitating Israel's withdrawal from Lebanese territory. However, this support hinges on Lebanon establishing itself as a functional state.
LF leader criticized reliance on international intervention without domestic action, stating, The international community doesn't care unless we take responsibility first.
He urged Lebanese leaders to implement practical solutions rather than resorting to rhetorical condemnations of Israel, which have proven ineffective over decades.
He called for the disarmament of non-state actors and the exclusive authority of the Lebanese state over military decisions, aligning with UN resolutions 1559, 1680, and 1701. Geagea warned that without decisive action, Lebanon risks missing a critical chance to restore its sovereignty and ensure lasting peace.
Geagea emphasized that Lebanese citizens should not remain vulnerable to Israeli strikes or the ongoing instability within the country. He asserted that it's time for Lebanon to achieve true stability and sovereignty, which necessitates the full empowerment of the state.
Addressing the state directly, Geagea stated: Do not wait for others to relieve you; you must take the initiative to free yourself from these constraints to move forward and reach safety.
These remarks were made during the annual dinner of 'Al-Massira' magazine at the Lebanese Forces headquarters in Maarab.
