Lebanese Forces head Geagea: Saudi support for Lebanon contingent on electing trustworthy president and government

BEIRUT — As Lebanon continues to suffer from a series of stifling political and economic crises, international and regional actors discuss ways to assist it.

Recently, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari met with head of the Lebanese Forces party Dr. Samir Geagea in Maarab, Lebanon.

“We have taken a big horizon tour in the region and Lebanon, and of course our focus was on Lebanon, specifically on the upcoming presidential elections,” Geagea stated via Twitter.

بعد لقاء السفير السعودي في لبنان وليد البخاري في معراب:

قمنا بجولة افق كبيرة في المنطقة ولبنان، وبالطبع تركيزنا كان على لبنان وتحديدا على الانتخابات الرئاسية المقبلة، ويمكن تلخيصها بالتالي: الخلاص الوحيد للبنان هو بعمقه العربي، وتمسك أهله به أكثر من أي وقت آخر من خلال الدستور.

— Samir Geagea (@DrSamirGeagea) September 20, 2022

Geagea added that the leadership in Saudi Arabia is ready to help Lebanon, but on the condition that there is a trustworthy president and government.

“The foundations for Lebanon’s establishment exist, but it needs someone to implement them,” Geagea continued.

He pointed out that his candidacy for the presidency is not currently possible, but it is possible if he receives demands from the majority of opposition MPs to run in the presidential elections.