Samir Geagea calls for immediate action on Hezbollah’s weapons

BEIRUT — Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea again underscored the urgency of disarming Hezbollah, proposing a six-month timeline for the handover of weapons. Speaking during an interview on MTV’s Sar El Wa’et from his residence in Maarab, Geagea emphasized that the process should begin with direct dialogue between Hezbollah and the President of Lebanon. “The steps taken by the current government and administration are not perfect, but they are significant given the circumstances under which the state operates,” he remarked.

Geagea dismissed the notion of a national dialogue on defense strategy, calling it a relic of the past. “The idea of South and North of the Litani is outdated,” he said, referring to the geographic division often used in discussions about Hezbollah’s presence. He criticized Culture Minister Ghassan Salamé’s recent comments on the issue, stating, “With all due respect to the minister, he has lost sight of the matter. This is not a negotiation between two disputing parties; it is a matter of state sovereignty.” Geagea argued that the decision to disarm Hezbollah had already been made by previous governments, including the Mikati administration, which endorsed the ceasefire agreement stipulating that weapons be restricted to state control.

During the interview, Geagea reflected on the broader implications of Hezbollah’s weapons, linking the issue to Lebanon’s ongoing political and economic crises. He highlighted the importance of international resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolutions 1701 and 1559, which call for the exclusive possession of arms by the state. “Lebanon cannot afford to remain in this cycle of stagnation,” he warned. “Every moment wasted has a cost, and the country must act decisively to reclaim its sovereignty.”

Geagea also addressed his recent meeting with US Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus, where he reiterated the Lebanese Forces’ long-standing demand for disarmament. “This has been our position for 30 years,” he said. “We want to live under a functioning state, and as long as Hezbollah retains its weapons, Lebanon will face nothing but ruin.” Geagea called on the Lebanese government to engage directly with the US, which he described as the key arbiter in this matter, to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and related provisions. His remarks reflect a growing urgency to resolve one of Lebanon’s most contentious issues and pave the way for a stable and sovereign future.