Geagea tells Hezbollah's Qassem only state 'can act as it sees fit'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 20 June 2025, 13:32
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Friday that only the Lebanese state "can act as it sees fit" after Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said that the militant group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing war between Iran and Israel.
"Sheikh Naim, you cannot act as you see fit. Only the Lebanese government can do that because it represents the majority of the Lebanese people," Geagea said, adding that it is "absolutely unacceptable" for anyone to allow themselves to act as they like.
"Lebanon is a country and a state," Geagea said. "This is absolutely unacceptable, otherwise Lebanon will turn into a chaotic place with no rules or laws."
Qassem had said that the militant group would "act as we see fit" in response to the ongoing war between its main backer Iran and Israel.
In a statement, Qassem said Hezbollah was "not neutral" in the conflict between the two regional superpowers, saying that the group would "act as we see fit in the face of this brutal Israeli-American aggression".
This comes after the U.S. special envoy for Syria warned Hezbollah against getting involved in the war.
Geagea urged Qassem to propose his ideas through Hezbollah's ministers in the government. "Only there, such matters can be discussed," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Libnan
an hour ago
- Ya Libnan
Argentina to try 10 Iranians and Hezbollah official in absentia for deadly 1994 Jewish center bombing
By Lucila Sigal People hold images of the victims of the 1994 bombing attack on the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) community centre, marking the 30th anniversary of the attack, in Buenos Aires, Argentina July 18, 2024. REUTERS/Irina Dambrauskas/File Photo An Argentine judge on Thursday ordered that the 10 people accused of the deadliest bombing in the country's history face a trial in absentia, three decades after the attack on a Jewish community center that killed 85 people and wounded more than 150. Argentine authorities have charged 10 people as perpetrators of the 1994 attack on the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) in Buenos Aires – including former Iranian government officials and others whom it says are members of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Those accused include Iran's former intelligence minister Ali Fallahian, former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati, former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaee, former ambassador to Argentina Hadi Soleimanpour and other embassy staff. Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tehran has previously denied involvement and refused to turn over suspects. People of Lebanese and Colombian nationality accused of being tied to Hezbollah are also among those accused. The country's judiciary considers all defendants to be fugitives from the law, many since 2003. It argues the attack was carried out by Hezbollah with the backing of the Iranian government. Judge Daniel Rafecas ordered the measure on the basis of a law that was passed in February this year that allows long-term fugitives to face trial in absentia. Argentina is home to Latin America's largest Jewish community. President Javier Milei has been diplomatically supportive of the governments of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whose long-standing feuds with Iran dramatically escalated this month. A similar attack against the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992 killed 22 people. Reuters
LBCI
7 hours ago
- LBCI
Israel claims to target Hezbollah's anti-tank missile chief in southern Lebanon
On Saturday, the Israeli army claimed it targeted Hassan Muhammad Hammoudi, Hezbollah's anti-tank missile operations chief in the Bint Jbeil area of southern Lebanon.
LBCI
7 hours ago
- LBCI
Behind closed doors: Can Lebanon craft a unified response to the US proposal in time?
Report by Joe Farchakh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian Lebanon's leadership is racing against time to finalize a unified response to the proposal put forward by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack amid ongoing internal consultations. Following Friday's meeting between President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, consultations continued Saturday with a sit-down between Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. According to LBCI, the Ain el-Tineh meeting did not produce a finalized official Lebanese response to the U.S. proposal, but it laid important groundwork as officials await Hezbollah's position, particularly on the disarmament issue. Sources told LBCI that Salam's visit was coordinated with the presidency and aimed at hearing the concerns of the Hezbollah-Amal Movement political duo, especially regarding Barrack's proposal. The discussions centered on three key points. The first was the Barrack proposal. Negotiations over its contents remain unresolved. Hezbollah is reportedly demanding clear American guarantees, particularly regarding the release of detainees, Israeli withdrawal from five hilltop positions, and an end to assassinations and daily violations. Lebanon's main reservations center on the need for synchronizing steps: weapons handover on one side, matched by Israeli commitments on the other — a 'step-for-step' framework. The second point was the urgent need for economic reforms, especially those targeting the cash economy, smuggling control, and banking sector restructuring. According to LBCI, the United States and Saudi Arabia are pressing for the swift passage of long-overdue financial reforms. These are seen as essential, alongside disarmament, for unlocking international aid and jump-starting reconstruction efforts. The third point was Monday's legislative session, which is considered critical, as key reform laws are expected to be passed amid increasing international pressure not to waste more time. Against this backdrop, July is shaping up to be decisive for the fate of Hezbollah's weapons, both south and north of the Litani River. Washington is pushing for a swift, official government statement confirming the launch of the disarmament process under Barrack's roadmap, with the envoy expected in Beirut soon.
