Geagea Does Not Fear Security Chaos in Case of Presidential Vacuum
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated that vacuum in the presidency is possible “should the other camp choose to obstruct the democratic process,” reported al-Jazeera television.
He said in an interview that will be aired on Monday night: “I do not fear security chaos should vacuum arise.”
“Vacuum is also possible should centrists shy away from their responsibilities,” he remarked.
“Vacuum should instead demand that we study the situation because a certain faction in Lebanon does not want to ensure the rise of the state,” explained the LF chief.
“We cannot continue in an imbalanced and uneven state that does not have complete authority over its powers,” Geagea said.
Asked about the rapprochement over the presidential elections between the rival Mustaqbal Movement and Free Patriotic Movement, he responded: “We support open talks between all Lebanese.”
“Attempts to understand the other are not a sign that concessions over a political agenda will be made,” he noted.
Moreover, Geagea denied claims that regional and international powers are seeking the election of FPM leader MP Michel Aoun as president due to his ties with Hizbullah and the possibility that he may reach an agreement with the party over its possession of arms.
“I have not received any foreign diplomatic proposals on Aoun's election, but I believe that some March 8 camp media outlets are promoting such claims,” he said.
The regional and international role in the elections is limited, he noted, while pointing out that Iran alone is holding sway over the polls.
“We have a serious chance to elect a president who is 'made in Lebanon' seeing as major powers are preoccupied with other affairs,” he stressed.
Asked if a constitutional amendment will be made to elect a president outside of the political fold, such as Central Bank Governor Riyad Salameh or Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, Geagea replied that none of the parliamentary blocs have made such a suggestion.
“A constitutional amendment is only made when a very dangerous development takes place and only with the consent of all parties,” he explained.
Geagea is so far the only official to submit his nomination for the elections.
President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ends in May.
A parliamentary session to hold the elections has been scheduled for Wednesday, amid concerns that the necessary quorum will not be met.
Speaker Nabih Berri had stated that the conditions to hold the elections are “not ripe yet.”
The deadline to elect a president ends on May 25.
almost 10 years
Ya Geagea
The chaos already exists. The question is would it get worse if their is a presidential vacuum??
almost 10 years
- المادة 49 (المعدلة بالقانون الدستوري الصادر في 17/10/1927 وبالقانون الدستوري الصادر في 8/5/1929 وبالقانون الدستوري الصادر في 21/1/1947 وبالقانون الدستوري الصادر في 21/9/1990)
رئيس الجمهورية هو رئيس الدولة ورمز وحدة الوطن. يسهر على احترام الدستور والمحافظة على استقلال لبنان ووحدته وسلامة أراضيه وفقاً لأحكام الدستور. يرأس المجلس الأعلى للدفاع وهو القائد الأعلى للقوات المسلحة التي تخضع لسلطة مجلس الوزراء.
ينتخب رئيس الجمهورية بالاقتراع السري بغالبية الثلثين من مجلس النواب في الدورة الأولى، ويكتفي بالغالبية المطلقة في دورات الاقتراع التي تلي. وتدوم رئاسته ست سنوات ولا تجوز إعادة انتخابه إلا بعد ست سنوات لانتهاء ولايته
almost 10 years
A president can be elected with 50%+1 if no one is elected with 2/3
almost 10 years
According to OUR constitution that is.
almost 10 years
Is it only me, or does gaegae seem confident.?
Anyway that's what I've picked up on.
almost 10 years
go to manar and you won't have to get ulcers.
almost 10 years
I'm really concerned about nasrallahs emotional and physical condition down there in his parents basement.
almost 10 years
Geagea has every reason to be confident as he is backed by most of the Christian community, plus the sunnis and the druze.
Aoun and hizbushaitan know that perfectly, and this is why they started their threats to try to change our minds :)
this extremist terrorist Iranian invading militia needs to know that this president to be in for the Lebanese not for iran or Syria!
the Lebanese select their president and terrorists do not scare us :)
almost 10 years
True, but they have Aoun on their side and thus can manipulate the democratic process by causing a lack of quorum. They will keep doing it until they get their way. A presidential vacuum means nothing to HA. They already have a state, a head of state, a government and an army. They make foreign policy as they please, and the "Lebanese state" can moan all it wants. Having said all that, I still have very strong reservations about Geagea. We need a president who can talk sense into HA, not one who alienates them even more. HA has a huge and vital constituency in the country. We can't just marginalize the majority of Shia. Sorry my friends, but if we must choose between Geagea and Aoun, we should go for the lesser evil: Aoun.
almost 10 years
do you really believe that HA is willing to listen to anyone talking sense to them? They have done absolutely nothing in their entire existence to remotely suggests they will ever be willingly lay down their weapons and ensure the rise of a state called Lebanon. Your good approach will be wasted on terrible people.
Also, I wonder how many of the shi3a community will truly continue to follow HA once their weapons are removed. That is something I would love to find out one day.
almost 10 years
show us those polls, flamethrower. take the time you need to take them out of ur drawer (:
almost 10 years
You know what? I don't think that HA is so hot on Aoun becoming president. Once he sits in that palace, he'd want true authority. He has a short temper, is blunt and wants quick results. He will be a constant pain in the ass for HA in his quest to bring their weapons under the authority of the state. Relations with the FPM will sour to a point that HA will have no other major allies but Amal, also Shia; It will be the Shia against the rest of the country. I don't think that HA wants to go down that road. HA wants a docile president.
almost 10 years
geha
If what you said above is correct i.e. Geagea has the support of the Christians, Sunnis and Druze, that means the presidential raxe is all but over. I am afraid it is not the case
almost 10 years
coolmec
based on the latest polls what I said is more than correct, but that does not mean the race is over :) loin de la :)
contrary to what he promised al rahi, aoun and his fpm will not attend the elections as well as shia MPs which will create the vacuum at the presidency level.
you see, aoun the clown, being the defender of the Christian interests ( so he says ), is the one behind creating this vacuum at highest post to be held by Christians, and for what? just to protect his extremist terrorist Iranian buddies.
aoun is such a good Christian :) he is the one who covered and still covering these extremists which is leading to the destruction of our country.
as you see, I have no illusions whatsoever.
almost 10 years
if there are no terrorists with weapons, yes the presidential race is and was over longtime ago.
almost 10 years
yeah, you said it bro :)
they show us on a daily basis real decency and mature debates |:) just ft's comment above :)
almost 10 years
Well, that sure kills the analysis that I posted a minute ago above. Where is that article, on Naharnet?
almost 10 years
Aoun doomed himself long time ago when he publicly came out and announced he is the true follower of the Syrian regime and iran :)
he had a purpose back then to divide the Christians and he executed it to perfection. he was called back to complete the job, and since then he has been openly supporting this murderer regime and his exctremist terrorist Iranian militia.
only delusional people followed him, but soon after, people started to realize the lies this traitor was trying to feed them, and his true figure appeared: while he was saying he was the protector of Christians, it became apparent he is the one dooming the Christians.
almost 10 years
He is only being a realist. Lebanon's presidential election will not be resolved until the Syrian election has been resolved on June 3. The mandate of Suliman ends on May 25 so there is a 2 week gap in the office that may be created because the Syrian retainers among AMAL and Hezbollah will not allow the presidential vote in Lebanon to take place as long as the Assad Regime is in jeopardy in Syria. Though the chances of an Assad "reelection" are 99% assured, as usual, still the Assad's worry over the 1% and cannot stand a settled situation in Lebanon when they are in the wind.
Bravo Geagea! Spoken like a true statesman.