Lebanese Forces Party head Samir Geagea stresses Lebanese state sovereignty through border control

MAARAB, Lebanon — Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea underscored the urgent need for Lebanon to assert state sovereignty and implement radical reforms to restore international and regional trust.

Speaking at the annual dinner hosted by the Zahle Coordination Office of the Lebanese Forces at the party’s headquarters in Maarab, Geagea warned that Lebanon risks losing the support of the international and Arab communities if it fails to secure its borders and establish exclusive control over weapons.

“The world is closely watching Lebanon,” Geagea said, “and it will not wait indefinitely. If the state does not prove its effectiveness, Lebanon could be abandoned within months.”

Geagea emphasized that electing a new president and forming a government, while significant steps, have not brought Lebanon to safety. He stressed the need for structural reforms, particularly in the financial and judicial sectors, to lay the groundwork for an effective government and a prosperous society.

Addressing recent developments along Lebanon’s eastern border with Syria, Geagea pointed out glaring weaknesses in state sovereignty, highlighting the unacceptable presence of armed groups operating outside the Lebanese Army’s control.

On economic recovery, Geagea stressed the importance of securing the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) approval for Lebanon’s reform program. He identified banking sector restructuring and amendments to banking secrecy laws as immediate priorities. Geagea also called for comprehensive reforms across all institutions to attract new investments and pave the way for economic stability.

Geagea attributed Lebanon’s current crisis to years of governance under what he termed the “axis of resistance,” which he argued has contributed to the collapse of state institutions. He concluded by urging swift action to implement deep judicial reforms and restore confidence in Lebanon’s governance and sovereignty.