Samir Geagea Discusses Hezbollah’s Weapons and Diaspora Voting Rights

• Samir Geagea attributes Lebanon’s collapse to Hezbollah’s weapons.
• Geagea calls for disarmament citing constitutional violations.
• He warns that Hezbollah’s arms incite Israeli aggression.
• Geagea insists diaspora voting rights must be fully restored.
• He criticizes the current electoral law for being outdated.

Hezbollah’s Armament and Lebanon’s Economic Collapse

In a recent interview that shed light on Lebanon’s current political climate, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea unequivocally condemned Hezbollah’s armament, calling it a core disaster for the nation. Speaking at the headquarters of the Lebanese Forces, Geagea articulated his views on Hezbollah’s weapons, describing them as unconstitutional and the principal catalyst behind Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis. He did not mince words, stating, “This arsenal monopolizes strategic decisions and led Hezbollah to ally with the most corrupt forces just to protect its arms,” highlighting a grim transformation from Lebanon’s past as a peaceful corner of the Middle East to a smuggling hub plagued by lawlessness.

The U.S. Proposal and the Need for Sovereignty

Geagea did not shy away from addressing the significant implications of disarmament in light of a proposal from U.S. envoy Tom Barrack. He insisted that disarming Hezbollah is not merely an external demand but fundamentally a Lebanese necessity. He went so far as to assert that Hezbollah’s continuing possession of arms invites Israeli aggression and compromises Lebanon’s sovereignty. With a history that includes imprisonment for opposing Hezbollah, Geagea made it unmistakably clear: “There will be no real state unless Hezbollah gives up its weapons.” He lambasted the notion that the arms provide balance, stating emphatically that they only provoke conflict and unrest.

Restoring Voting Rights to the Diaspora

Geagea’s vision for Lebanon also extends beyond disarmament; he strongly advocates for the voting rights of the Lebanese diaspora. He criticized the limitations imposed by Lebanon’s outdated 1960 electoral law and the subsequent legislative compromises that resulted in only six parliamentary seats for expatriates. In his eyes, this arrangement undermines the political influence of the diaspora, and he is demanding full representation in the parliamentary process. Geagea has proposed that the government initiate formal polling to gauge what Lebanese expatriates desire, arguing that the six-seat allocation is simply not representative of the community’s interests: “What’s the point of giving them six seats and keeping them outside Lebanon’s political impact?”

In his forthright interview, Samir Geagea outlined Hezbollah’s arsenal as a critical issue plaguing Lebanon, linking it directly to the nation’s economic turmoil. He stressed the urgent need for disarmament as a prerequisite for establishing a functioning state and highlighted the necessity of restoring full voting rights to the Lebanese diaspora, criticizing the limited representation currently allowed. Geagea’s calls for action emphasize his belief in Lebanon’s potential for recovery, yet he warns of the dangers of inaction in the months to come.