Geagea: We will challenge gasoline increase before constitutional council

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused the "Moumanaa" axis and the Free Patriotic Movement of persistently targeting his party, holding them responsible for Lebanon’s deterioration between 2009 and 2019 and the resulting financial and economic collapse.In remarks to Free Lebanon Radio station, Geagea said the LF opposed the recent proposal to raise gasoline prices and increase VAT, while other blocs approved it, accusing rivals of shifting blame onto his party. Geagea defended the decision not to resign from the government, describing it as the first in decades to address illegal arms and one free from corruption.Geagea confirmed the LF would challenge certain budget provisions before the Constitutional Council, including those related to gasoline hikes, and take an appropriate stance in Parliament regarding the VAT increase.On elections, he praised Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar for adhering to constitutional deadlines and affirmed that expatriates would vote abroad for 128 MPs under the current law.Regarding arms north of the Litani, Geagea welcomed the government’s commitment to state authority, noting that implementation timing may be influenced by regional developments.

20-02-2026 17:39