The head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, addressed an open letter to President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, noting that “we see no reason for delaying the dissolution of the party’s military wings,” and saying, “the pretext of a so-called civil war is misplaced.”
Geagea said:
“You certainly know how great the joy of the Lebanese people was when you assumed your responsibilities. But unfortunately, at least so far, that joy has not translated into security, stability, or confidence in the future. It is true that the current government has taken some steps in the right direction, and it is also true that no signs of corruption or backdoor deals have emerged, but this alone is not enough for the Lebanese to live.
It is certain that you know, as all Lebanese know, that the direction events are taking in Lebanon is not sound, not to say dangerous.
Far from bickering, ideology, and futile analysis, you bear the responsibility of sparing the country something far worse, if not also rescuing it from where it stands and bringing it safely to shore.
Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister, I address you not from a place of rivalry nor competition, but as a Lebanese citizen deeply concerned for his country, especially for the future of its generations.
Debating the gender of angels, floating theoretical proposals, redefining sovereignty, independence, and nationalism, all of this is a massive waste of time and leads nowhere except to further delay.
The only question that should occupy your minds right now is what must be done to save Lebanon and the Lebanese from something far worse, and bring them to safety.
It has become clear to everyone near and far that Hezbollah’s military and security organization lies at the heart of the major crisis we are living. And there is a consensus that dismantling Hezbollah’s military and security structure is the mandatory first step toward any financial relief.
Moreover, and fundamentally, Hezbollah’s military and security structure is a massive burden on the Lebanese body. Its existence is entirely contrary to the Taif Agreement and the Constitution, it is responsible for the state of non-state we have been living in for over thirty years. It has also caused assassinations and aggressions against many Lebanese leaders and areas, and bears major responsibility for the paralysis that overtook the Lebanese state in recent decades, leading to all the disasters that befell us, especially the 2024 war and the economic, financial, and living collapse that preceded it.
With all these compelling reasons, and especially with a clear majority of Lebanese wanting all military and security forces outside the state dissolved, we find no reason or justification for the ongoing delay in dismantling Hezbollah’s military and security wings, especially after the cabinet decisions of August 5 and 7.
Invoking a supposed civil war is misplaced. We are not talking about a conflict between two parties or two civilian groups. We are talking about decisions taken by the state, a legitimate state with full authority and full awareness.
Furthermore, how is it acceptable, regardless of the excuses, to leave Lebanon and the Lebanese facing the unknown and something far worse simply for the sake of some party officials who are themselves tied to Iranian decision-making, not Lebanese?
And according to what logic does the majority in Lebanon obey the actions of a minority, and the legitimate authority obey the actions of the illegitimate? And where are you, the true, legitimate representatives of the state, in all this?
Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister, placing this ball of fire solely in the army’s hands is unacceptable. Alongside the army’s actions, there must be clear, decisive political action targeting all those who refuse to implement the cabinet’s decisions of August 5 and 7. It is illogical to ask the army to deal with some branches while the foundational rhetoric is openly and daily rejecting the state’s decisions and continuing to rebuild its military and security structures, while you accommodate all this with ambiguous political messaging instead of being clear, firm, and explicit, compelling them to adopt the presidential oath and the government’s ministerial statement clearly and explicitly.
What is needed in these critical days is a very clear political declaration, not just words. A declaration repeated daily, both publicly and in private meetings, followed by clear political and administrative steps to put this rogue structure in its place.
Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister, time may show mercy, but history never does. Let us all contribute to shaping this history before it is too late, so that we stand at the heart of history rather than face its judgment."
Geagea said:
“You certainly know how great the joy of the Lebanese people was when you assumed your responsibilities. But unfortunately, at least so far, that joy has not translated into security, stability, or confidence in the future. It is true that the current government has taken some steps in the right direction, and it is also true that no signs of corruption or backdoor deals have emerged, but this alone is not enough for the Lebanese to live.
It is certain that you know, as all Lebanese know, that the direction events are taking in Lebanon is not sound, not to say dangerous.
Far from bickering, ideology, and futile analysis, you bear the responsibility of sparing the country something far worse, if not also rescuing it from where it stands and bringing it safely to shore.
Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister, I address you not from a place of rivalry nor competition, but as a Lebanese citizen deeply concerned for his country, especially for the future of its generations.
Debating the gender of angels, floating theoretical proposals, redefining sovereignty, independence, and nationalism, all of this is a massive waste of time and leads nowhere except to further delay.
The only question that should occupy your minds right now is what must be done to save Lebanon and the Lebanese from something far worse, and bring them to safety.
It has become clear to everyone near and far that Hezbollah’s military and security organization lies at the heart of the major crisis we are living. And there is a consensus that dismantling Hezbollah’s military and security structure is the mandatory first step toward any financial relief.
Moreover, and fundamentally, Hezbollah’s military and security structure is a massive burden on the Lebanese body. Its existence is entirely contrary to the Taif Agreement and the Constitution, it is responsible for the state of non-state we have been living in for over thirty years. It has also caused assassinations and aggressions against many Lebanese leaders and areas, and bears major responsibility for the paralysis that overtook the Lebanese state in recent decades, leading to all the disasters that befell us, especially the 2024 war and the economic, financial, and living collapse that preceded it.
With all these compelling reasons, and especially with a clear majority of Lebanese wanting all military and security forces outside the state dissolved, we find no reason or justification for the ongoing delay in dismantling Hezbollah’s military and security wings, especially after the cabinet decisions of August 5 and 7.
Invoking a supposed civil war is misplaced. We are not talking about a conflict between two parties or two civilian groups. We are talking about decisions taken by the state, a legitimate state with full authority and full awareness.
Furthermore, how is it acceptable, regardless of the excuses, to leave Lebanon and the Lebanese facing the unknown and something far worse simply for the sake of some party officials who are themselves tied to Iranian decision-making, not Lebanese?
And according to what logic does the majority in Lebanon obey the actions of a minority, and the legitimate authority obey the actions of the illegitimate? And where are you, the true, legitimate representatives of the state, in all this?
Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister, placing this ball of fire solely in the army’s hands is unacceptable. Alongside the army’s actions, there must be clear, decisive political action targeting all those who refuse to implement the cabinet’s decisions of August 5 and 7. It is illogical to ask the army to deal with some branches while the foundational rhetoric is openly and daily rejecting the state’s decisions and continuing to rebuild its military and security structures, while you accommodate all this with ambiguous political messaging instead of being clear, firm, and explicit, compelling them to adopt the presidential oath and the government’s ministerial statement clearly and explicitly.
What is needed in these critical days is a very clear political declaration, not just words. A declaration repeated daily, both publicly and in private meetings, followed by clear political and administrative steps to put this rogue structure in its place.
Your Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister, time may show mercy, but history never does. Let us all contribute to shaping this history before it is too late, so that we stand at the heart of history rather than face its judgment."
