Lebanese Forces party Executive Chairman Geagea calls on Lebanese people to punish Hezbollah in upcoming election

BEIRUT — Executive Chairman of the Lebanese Forces party Samir Geagea verbally attacked Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement, arguing that they should be punished at the polls in the upcoming elections. Geagea, alongside the Speaker of Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, has called for a plenary session to discuss holding a confidence vote concerning Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib.

In a speech at the central election ceremony of the Lebanese Forces party to formally announce regulations and candidates for the 2022 parliamentary elections, Geagea addressed attendees, saying:

“Rise up. Rise up and vote. In difficult times, things are said as they are, without diplomacy. Be the initiators and remember that Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement and their allies brought you here. Who should be punished at the polls without forgetting who has always represented your voices and who you are.

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Rockets are their weapon. Therefore, vote for salvation, to restore sovereignty and free decision. Vote for a strong republican state.

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No one can divert Lebanon from its natural state or strike its relations with Arab and Gulf countries. It is time for Hezbollah to recognize Lebanon’s specificities and change its course. Lebanon will not be owned by Iran.”

In conjunction with the preparations for the forthcoming Lebanese elections, the Lebanese Forces’ “Powerful Republic” bloc submitted a request to convene a plenary session of the House of Assembly with the aim of holding a vote of confidence concerning Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib over allegations of tampering with diaspora voting. Speaker Berri invited a plenary meeting to be held next Thursday.