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Sethrida Geagea to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Waiting for Aoun to Take Historic Resignation Move

Lebanese Forces lawmaker Sethrida Geagea. Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanese Forces lawmaker Sethrida Geagea. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Sethrida Geagea to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Waiting for Aoun to Take Historic Resignation Move

Lebanese Forces lawmaker Sethrida Geagea. Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanese Forces lawmaker Sethrida Geagea. Asharq Al-Awsat

Lebanese Forces lawmaker Sethrida Geagea has said that forcing President Michel Aoun’s resignation through street protests is “an unconstitutional move” but that the LF was waiting for him to take a historic step to resign.

“We are waiting for the president to take the historic stance of resigning and calling for early elections,” Geagea told Asharq Al-Awsat in an interview published Saturday.

“We believe in the state and its institutions … Bringing the president down through street protests is an unconstitutional and illegitimate move,” she said.

Asked about the LF’s ties with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, the lawmaker, who is the wife of LF leader Samir Geagea, told the newspaper that the improvement of relations between the two sides hinged on a change in some of Hariri’s stances.

“Restoring (of ties) hinges on him and his stances from essential issues such as running the state, governance, fighting corruption, approving reforms and others,” she said.

On Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rai’s call for political parties to submit their vision for an improvement in the Lebanese political system, she hailed the move as essential for the coming stage. Yet she stressed that the state should have sovereignty across all Lebanese territories before talking about any change in the system.

Thousands of Lebanese rallied at the seat of the Maronite church in Bkirki last Saturday in support of the patriarch who has called for a UN-sponsored international conference in the face of Lebanon's economic collapse and political impasse.

Rai wants Lebanese parties to present their vision on what needs to be changed in the political system, in order to submit it to the UN.

“There shouldn’t be any illegitimate arms,” Geagea said in reference to Hezbollah. “The state should restore its strategic decision on peace and war.”

“We can’t discuss a matter as important as a change in the system at a time when a certain Lebanese party manipulates the state’s strategic decisions,” she added.

Hezbollah last week slammed al-Rai’s proposal for an international conference on Lebanon, saying it would open the door to foreign interference.

But Geagea said: “We remain fully committed to Bkirki’s plans and we always back the patriarch.”

Asked if her husband is a candidate for the presidency, the lawmaker said that the LF’s main interest currently lies in “salvaging the Republic … because we are in a state of total collapse.”

“We will discuss about the candidacy for the presidency after we succeed in our mission.”

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.