Geagea Demands Hezbollah Honor Deal, Calls for Dismantling of Military Bases

Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces, strongly criticized Hezbollah on Friday, accusing the group of committing a severe injustice against Lebanon and its people, particularly those living in the Bekaa Valley, the south, and Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Geagea stated that Lebanon could have avoided the deaths of over 4,000 people, along with the widespread displacement and destruction caused by the conflict. Despite these tragic outcomes, he noted that Hezbollah’s representatives continue to talk about a supposed victory, a perspective he described as detached from reality.

He further argued that the most recent conflict served external interests at Lebanon’s expense, questioning who had authorized Hezbollah to declare what he called an “assistance war.” Geagea pointed out that the majority of Lebanese citizens opposed this war and did not want Lebanon to become a battleground for others’ conflicts.

Geagea rejected the notion of the “army-people-resistance” equation, stating that it did not align with the ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. He accused Hezbollah of attempting to manipulate the situation as if the lives lost had no significance.

Hezbollah, according to Geagea, had agreed to the ceasefire terms and must now follow through by cooperating with the Lebanese Army to dismantle its military infrastructure, as stipulated in the agreement. He emphasized that the days of ignoring commitments and agreements must end.

The LF leader called on the government, parliament, and Hezbollah to take responsibility and act according to what was agreed upon, prioritizing Lebanon’s interests and stability. He reiterated that the country’s weapons should be under the control of the army, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement.

Geagea concluded by asserting that Lebanon cannot return to the state it was in before October 7, 2023. He warned that if some factions do not wish to see a functioning state, they should make their intentions clear so that the country can move forward. Lebanon, he said, can no longer afford ambiguity or a lack of accountability.