The Collapse of Hezbollah’s Card House: A Seismic Shift for Lebanon
Criticism from Lebanese Political Leader
Dr. Samir Geagea, the leader of the Lebanese Forces, delivered a pointed critique of the militant group Hezbollah during a recent broadcast on “Free Lebanon” radio. In his remarks, he stated that Hezbollah has regressed Lebanon by a century and is imposing Iranian military logic on a nation struggling to survive. “They speak in the name of the people, yet 75% of Lebanese do not support what they impose upon us,” he asserted.
Decline of Political Life in Lebanon
Geagea emphasized the detrimental historical impact of Hezbollah on Lebanon, likening its actions to previous threats from Israel. “While Israel once threatened to take Lebanon back 30 or 50 years, Hezbollah has accomplished this all by itself,” he declared. He noted that since 1990, true political life in Lebanon has ceased to exist, reducing the country to functioning merely as a municipality devoid of strategic authority or sovereignty.
Warfare and Legitimacy Concerns
In discussing the ongoing conflict in northern Lebanon with Israel, Geagea reiterated from the outset that it serves no benefit to the Palestinians and brings immense harm to Lebanon. “Hezbollah has no legal right to conduct warfare. Only the state has the authority to declare war or peace,” he explained, condemning Hezbollah for operating outside of Lebanon’s constitutional framework and spreading baseless slogans. He claimed, “They do not defend Lebanon; they endanger it. The state is the sole entity responsible for protecting its citizens-not an armed militia acting on behalf of the Iranian regime.”
The Call for State Sovereignty
Geagea rejected Hezbollah’s justification for its military presence in southern Lebanon, arguing that the group’s weapons have instead led to an Israeli presence in the region. He remarked, “Every destroyed village and every displaced family is a result of their destructive militia logic.” He stressed the need for the Lebanese state to be allowed to defend itself, asserting that the government has been denied the chance to exercise this authority.
Future of Lebanon: A Plea for Action
Expressing concern over Lebanon’s reliance on Hezbollah’s agenda, Geagea warned that Hezbollah’s real crisis lies not with Israel but with the Syrian people, given the group’s involvement alongside Bashar al-Assad’s regime. He urged, “We want to build a country for our children-not to live under decades of fear, empty slogans, and weapons that only bring destruction.”
Upholding Democratic Processes
In his closing remarks, Geagea called for the Lebanese government and president to act independently of Hezbollah’s influence. “We have a president with legitimacy and a government that has received unanimous support twstart-it is time to act without waiting for a response from an armed party,” he stated. He emphasized that further delay undermines the future of Lebanon and that Hezbollah’s interference in state matters represents a clear violation of law and democratic order.
Geagea criticized those who rely on religious texts to justify security policies, asserting, “States do not operate according to the Talmud, Bible, or Quran-they operate based on interests, research, and dialogue.” He dismissed the rhetoric presenting Israel as intending to conquer Lebanon, stating that no reputable research center claims this. “To rely on illusions to justify holding weapons is not strategic planning; it’s a dangerous fantasy,” he concluded