With US envoy set to arrive, Samir Geagea warns Lebanon risks wasting rare opportunity
'Nearly two weeks have passed since a U.S. proposal surfaced to advance Lebanon's position—ending Israeli occupation and violations on one side and removing illegal weapons on the other. Yet, with the U.S. envoy arriving tomorrow, the matter has not been discussed in Cabinet, and no formal stance has been taken,' Geagea said in a statement.
'Is the Lebanese state now waiting to hear Hezbollah's position, or should Hezbollah be awaiting a government decision?' he asked.
Geagea warned that any failure to seize this diplomatic opportunity would carry serious consequences, both for the Lebanese people and in the eyes of history.
He called for an urgent Cabinet meeting to draft a unified national position that would secure an actual Israeli withdrawal and the establishment of a sovereign Lebanese state capable of defending its interests.
'Enough manipulation of Lebanon's future to serve Iran's leverage in international negotiations,' Geagea said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
27 minutes ago
- LBCI
Billions needed, but no plan: Lebanon's social spending crisis deepens
Report by Lea Fayad, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian After everything Lebanon has been through, poverty has tripled over the past five years, unemployment stands at 45%, and the cost of reconstruction exceeds $11 billion. Yet, instead of expanding social programs, Lebanon has slashed the social and health protection budget — from $6.1 billion in 2017 to just $1.3 billion in 2024. What is worse, most of that money goes to public sector pensions and end-of-service benefits — covering just 2.5% of the population. Even the social programs funded by international donors, which are helping people stay on their feet, face constant threats of suspension. This reality — now in urgent need of change — was outlined in a report by the Institut des Finances Basil Fuleihan. However, the question remains: where can the government obtain the necessary funding? This comes at a time when establishing a social safety net is a key condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for any agreement with Lebanon — based on the need for a clear mechanism to protect the most vulnerable.
LBCI
4 hours ago
- LBCI
Qatar says Doha talks focused on 'framework' for Gaza deal
Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel for a truce in Gaza are focused on a "framework" for a deal, mediating nation Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday. "What is happening right now is that both delegations are in Doha. We are speaking with them separately on framework for the talks. So talks have not begun, as of yet, but we are talking to both sides over that framework," Majed Al-Ansari told a Doha news conference. AFP
LBCI
4 hours ago
- LBCI
Israel military claims struck Hamas militant in north Lebanon
Israel's military claimed Tuesday it had struck a Hamas militant in the Lebanese city of Tripoli in its first strike on the country's north since a November ceasefire ended hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. "A short while ago, the (Israeli military) struck a key Hamas terrorist in the area of Tripoli in Lebanon," the military claimed in a statement, without providing further details. AFP
