Geagea Warns Against 'Implicating Lebanon in Adventures'

Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea (Reuters)
Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea (Reuters)
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Geagea Warns Against 'Implicating Lebanon in Adventures'

Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea (Reuters)
Lebanese Forces Leader Samir Geagea (Reuters)

Lebanese Forces Party Leader Samir Geagea warned Hezbollah of engaging, alongside Iran, in any war that might break out in the region and considered such move as the “ruin of Lebanon.”

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Geagea noted that in the event of the eruption of a major Israeli-Iranian and US-Iranian confrontation, “which I believe is unlikely now”, Hezbollah “will think a lot” before engaging in it, “because it is not a simple thing and we should have a clear position taking into consideration the country’s interests.”

“No one should take part in any adventure because it is not the time for adventures. The region will be burning and we do not accept that anyone implicates the country and destroys it except in case of direct attack from any foreign country on Lebanon,” he stated.

On a different note, the LF leader said that the circumstances of the recent naturalization decree “constituted a blow to the tenure of President Michel Aoun,” ruling out, however, the president’s direct responsibility for the names included in the decree.

“Although it was the president who signed the decree, I believe that he was not informed of all the names included,” he said.

Geagea stressed that the problem with the current naturalization decree was that no one knew anything about it, which has raised many doubts.

“Everything was done secretly, away from politicians as well,” he said, adding: “Reactions among the Lebanese communities, whether among Shiite, Sunni, Christian or Druze, were negative, because those concerned behaved in a very suspicious manner, and therefore we couldn't remain silent on a subject like this, regardless of whether it was the best decree of the universe.”

On his assessment of the latest parliamentary elections, Geagea said his party fought the electoral battle alone, except in three districts where it allied with the Kataeb party.

He underlined in this regard that the Lebanese Forces’ electoral alliances were based on the party’s political stances, and were not mere alliances without any political meaning.

“We have fought the elections with new and acceptable figures, who reflect our reality and the image we would like to see in power and governance in Lebanon,” he noted.

As for the LF share in the next government, Geagea said his party must be represented based on its “popular, political and parliamentary size.”

“The elections proved that there are two great forces within the Christian community. They proved that there are equal forces,” he explained, noting that Christian representation in the government must be agreed upon by the LF and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the president.

Asked about his party’s relation with Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, the LF leader emphasized that the real problem was not about governmental shares and ministerial portfolios, but about the principle of partnership.

“Bassil’s concept of partnership is to support anything that he does. As for us, partnership is when we agree and support each other in anything we want to do, and if no agreement is reached, we don’t support the step that we have not agreed upon,” he explained.

He noted in this regard that Bassil “considers himself to be representing the tenure”, but the LF always “avoids dragging the presidency into internal sensitivities.”

Geagea also said he believed that there were no obstacles hampering the formation of a new government.



Siddiq al-Mahdi: Sudanese Public Unites on Need to End War

Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Siddiq al-Mahdi: Sudanese Public Unites on Need to End War

Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), Siddiq al-Mahdi (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Siddiq al-Mahdi, Secretary-General of the Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum), stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid to Sudanese citizens suffering from the ongoing conflict.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat in Addis Ababa, al-Mahdi criticized the National Congress Party for manipulating its alliance with the military to advance its political goals.

Al-Mahdi said he would only engage in the political process if the party ends its connection with the military and security forces.

He highlighted a growing recognition of the need to end the war, noting a shift away from military solutions as a positive sign of Sudanese public opinion converging on the need for peace.

The Taqaddum official said this change has reduced support for the war and increased regional and international calls for its end.

Al-Mahdi warned that the war has caused a severe humanitarian crisis and poses threats to the region, neighboring countries, the Horn of Africa, and Red Sea security.

“The need to stop the war is now urgent, and we must act on this,” he said.

He praised international efforts, including the Paris and Cairo conferences and the UN's attempts to bring the warring sides together in Geneva for aid and protection.

Al-Mahdi also revealed that his coalition had proposed a plan to the military and Rapid Support Forces, focusing on humanitarian aid, political arrangements to end the war, and a transition to civilian democracy.

He stressed that the humanitarian situation cannot wait for the war to end.

“Providing aid and protecting citizens are urgent priorities. We need to act now to deliver aid, even before the war ends,” he said.

He noted that the best approach involves coordinating initiatives from various platforms, including Jeddah, IGAD, and its key member states Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, as well as Bahrain, the UAE, Egypt, the African Union, and the United Nations.

Al-Mahdi emphasized that all these entities are working on humanitarian and peace efforts.

He stated that any alignment among mediators, conflict parties, and civil components is viewed by Taqaddum as a comprehensive process for achieving peace.