Geagea says 'wagers of some' behind unprecedented hardships, renews calls for early legislative elections

12 Jul 2021

Lebanon - Lebanese Forces leader, Samir Geagea, said Monday that the current hardships hitting Lebanon are caused by the wagers made by some sides who aimed to harm the country’s image and relations with other states.

"Lebanon is in an unprecedented state of suffering due to the wagers of some in service of purposes that do not bring any good for Lebanon and the Lebanese, and harm the country's image and relations with its brothers and friends, namely the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Geagea told press conference held jointly with Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari, in Maarab.

According to the LF leader, Saudi Arabia took a step backwards to get ready to help Lebanon and not to turn its back on Lebanon.

"More than any time, we are determined to fight until we exit this dark tunnel," he stressed.

"We hold onto our independence, and we will not allow any occupation or custody or affiliation," he added.

"We also hold onto the full sovereignty of the Lebanese state," he said.

Moreover, Geagea renewed calls for early parliamentary polls. "We hold onto the right of the Lebanese people to re-elect their representatives the soonest possible."

Bukhari

For his part, Ambassador Bukhari highlighted the joint responsibility to fight cross-border smuggling and trafficking operations and to reach solution to the Saudi ban on the import of Lebanese produces. Within this frame, he put emphasis on the necessity of adequate security measures, in addition to that of a serious political will to reach solutions and that of impartial judiciary.

"We do not have the luxury of time; we must move forward," he said.