- Title: 'Major confrontation' with Hezbollah ahead, says Lebanon Christian politician
- Date: 1st June 2022
- Summary: MAARAB, LEBANON (JUNE 1, 2022) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF POSTER SHOWING LEBANESE AND LEBANESE FORCES FLAG WITH A BIG LEBANESE FLAG AND SIGN READING (Arabic): "THE STRONG REPUBLIC", AS SEEN THROUGH DOOR TO ROOM THE LEADER OF LEBANON'S CHRISTIAN LEBANESE FORCES PARTY, SAMIR GEAGEA, SPEAKING DURING INTERVIEW WITH REUTERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF LEBANON'S CHRISTIAN LEBANESE FORCES PARTY, SAMIR GEAGEA, SAYING: "Let's see the most acceptable name (for prime minister). We don't have a veto on anyone unless it's someone with the project of Hezbollah then we will surely have a veto on him becoming prime minister. Or if it's someone on whom corruption is proven then we will surely have a veto on them. From there on, we will need to see where these consultations will lead, we have to wait, it's still early." VARIOUS OF LEBANESE AND LEBANESE FORCES FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF LEBANON'S CHRISTIAN LEBANESE FORCES PARTY, SAMIR GEAGEA, SAYING: "If it's a government that includes (everyone) as usual, of course we won't take part." VARIOUS OF THE LEBANESE FORCES LOGO ON THE WALL (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF LEBANON'S CHRISTIAN LEBANESE FORCES PARTY, SAMIR GEAGEA, SAYING: "We all need one another to be able to go through the process of change and recovery that is required. The aim, again, in Lebanon is to have change. How would this change happen?" VARIOUS OF POSTER SHOWING LEBANESE FLAG WITH A SIGN READING (Arabic): "THE STRONG REPUBLIC" (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HEAD OF LEBANON'S CHRISTIAN LEBANESE FORCES PARTY, SAMIR GEAGEA, SAYING: "In the parliament, there is definitely a major confrontation between two projects - not between two people nor between two parties. It's between two projects, clearly. There is the project of Hezbollah, again its project and not Hezbollah's people... we are totally against the project of Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement is linking itself to this project, whatever they say." VARIOUS OF GEAGEA USING EARPHONES, TALKING
- Embargoed: 15th June 2022 18:03
- Keywords: Christian party Hezbollah Lebanese Forces Lebanon Samir Geagea crisis government interview
- Location: MAARAB, LEBANON
- City: MAARAB, LEBANON
- Country: Lebanon
- Topics: Middle East,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001200401062022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The Christian Lebanese Forces party will reject anyone aligned with the armed Shi'ite movement Hezbollah as prime minister and stick to its boycott of government if a new consensus cabinet is formed, the party's leader said on Wednesday (June 1).
Lebanon is in the throes of one of the world's worst economic meltdowns, according to the World Bank, with the local lira losing 90% of its value since 2019.
Analysts have warned that the divisions in parliament will likely delay consensus on reform laws needed to drag Lebanon out of crisis. They could also create a vacuum in top leadership positions.
While the LF and independent newcomers gained more seats in last month's elections, they still failed to prevent Hezbollah ally Nabih Berri from securing a seventh term as speaker in parliament's first session on Tuesday.
"If it's a government that includes (everyone) as usual, of course we won't approve and we won't take part," LF party chief Samir Geagea told Reuters.
He added that the splits in parliament would lead to a "major confrontation" between Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies on one side and the Saudi-aligned LF on the other.
Tuesday (May 31)'s session was the first since the new parliament was elected on May 15, in the first vote since Lebanon's economic collapse and the Beirut port explosion of 2020 that killed more than 215 people.
The LF was founded as an armed movement during Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war but officially laid down its arms after the conflict.
It has taken part in both parliament and cabinet but has opted out of the latter since 2019, when widespread anti-government protests broke out in Beirut.
Independent lawmakers have balked at the LF's roles in the war and in the political establishment more recently, but Geagea said newcomer MPs would have little influence if they did not align with his party.
"We all need one another to be able to go through the process of change and recovery that is required," he said.
Lebanon's system of government now requires President Michel Aoun, an ally of Hezbollah and rival of the LF, to consult with lawmakers on their choice for prime minister.
Geagea declined to say whether the LF would support a fresh term for current premier and frontrunner Najib Mikati or if his party would back a different name.
The new cabinet will only last a few months, as parliament is set to elect a successor to Aoun, whose presidential term ends on Oct. 31. The next president would then name a new premier.
Aoun came to power as president in 2016 with the LF's backing after decades of intense rivalry between the two.
But Geagea said his party would also veto any presidential nominee backed by Hezbollah this time.
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