Geagea tells Hezbollah that Aoun and govt. are the representatives of the Lebanese people

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea has sharply rebuked Hezbollah's disavowal of any involvement in potential negotiations between Lebanon and Israel. Geagea's strong response, delivered Tuesday, directly challenges Hezbollah's narrative by emphasizing the legitimacy of Lebanon's democratically elected institutions. He unequivocally stated that the President and the government, both enjoying substantial parliamentary confidence, are the true representatives of the Lebanese people, not any external or non-state actors.

“

We are not concerned with your words or anything you do, except that it has brought disasters upon Lebanon and the Lebanese people.

Geagea's remarks highlight a fundamental political fault line in Lebanon: the authority of the state versus the influence of armed non-state actors. By asserting that those who distance themselves from constitutional negotiations conducted by the President and Prime Minister are effectively "disavowing Lebanon as a state," Geagea frames the issue as one of national sovereignty and existence. This perspective is crucial for understanding the internal political dynamics where the Lebanese Forces advocate for a strong, unified Lebanese state operating strictly within constitutional frameworks.

“

Therefore, the President of the Republic and the government are the ones who represent the Lebanese people, each according to the powers granted to them by the Constitution.

From the Lebanese Forces' viewpoint, as articulated by Geagea, Hezbollah's position is not merely a political disagreement but an existential threat to Lebanon itself. The emphasis on the parliament's election of the president and its confidence in the government serves to bolster the legitimacy of state institutions. This narrative seeks to rally support for a state-centric approach to foreign policy and national security, contrasting sharply with Hezbollah's regional agenda. The unique Lebanese context, where a powerful armed group operates with significant political influence, makes such pronouncements particularly resonant and critical for the future direction of the country.

“

Those who say they are not concerned with legitimate and constitutional negotiations conducted by the President of the Republic in cooperation and solidarity with the Prime Minister and the government are, by saying this, disavowing Lebanon as a state, the majority of the Lebanese people, and consequently, Lebanon as a nation.