REPORT: LF leader Samir Geagea announces presidential program

News Bulletin Reports
16-04-2014 | 06:15
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REPORT: LF leader Samir Geagea announces presidential program
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4min
REPORT: LF leader Samir Geagea announces presidential program
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea announced his presidential program on Wednesday from his Maarab residence whereby he stressed the importance of the position, adherence to the Baabda Declaration and the Taef accord.

Geagea noted that no country in the world would accept that its authority be undermined by armed groups, he said in reference to Hezbollah.

Geagea also noted that problems prevalent in the country's judicial system led the people to lose faith in the said institutions, vowing not to compromise in tackling corruption within Lebanon's judiciary.

On capital punishment, Geagea said that he will work on eliminating the death penalty in accordance with United Nations principles.

He also vowed to improve the state of prisons in Lebanon if elected as president.

The LF leader stressed the need for economic reform, cutting down on unemployment, reducing public debt, and limiting youth immigration.

Geagea suggested reopening various airports in Lebanon, as well as developing Lebanese ports, including the Jounieh and Tyre ports.

He said that he will ensure that customs laws be implemented, even if new laws have to be put in place.

Two weeks ago, the Lebanese Forces executive committee meeting declared the candidacy of LF leader Samir Geagea for the presidency.

MP Georges Adwan read a statement on behalf of the committee in which he noted that there was an agreement to back Geagea in his bid to become president “out of the patriotic and political principles of the LF and the March 14 camp.”

Adwan said that Lebanon is at a critical stage on the security and economic levels amid the spread of chaos and the propagation of illegitimate weapons.

“The LF is keen on respecting democracy in political confrontation,” Adwan added.

Following the nomination Geagea told LBCI that his candidacy comes in a bid "to save the country from the current crisis."

Geagea added that he adheres only to the Lebanese constitution, reiterating readiness to attend any election session upon the request of Speaker Nabih Berri.

President Michel Sleiman's tenure ends in May, but the constitutional period to elect a new head of state began on March 25.

Heavily influenced by the war in neighboring Syria, and host to more than a million refugees, Lebanon has struggled to control a deterioration in security and an economic slowdown.

In February, Lebanon formed a new government, breaking a 10-month political deadlock during which a caretaker government with limited powers was in charge.

Many Lebanese hope that a working government and the election of a new president will bring stability and leadership.

But rivalries persist between the Hezbollah-dominated March 8 bloc and the March 14 alliance led by the mainly Sunni Muslim Future Party.

Candidates for the presidential election are likely to struggle to win a two-thirds majority in parliament.

Hezbollah has sent fighters to help Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - of the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam - battle rebels, mostly from the majority Sunni Muslim population, trying to overthrow him.

Bombs have targeted areas in Lebanon controlled by Hezbollah.

Under Lebanon's political system, which seeks to guarantee representation for its various sects and religions, the president must be a Maronite Christian, a community which is divided between March 8 and March 14 supporters.

Geagea, 61, is opposed to Assad and has condemned Hezbollah's military involvement in Syria. He spent 11 years in jail for political murders and other killings during Lebanon's civil war, the only warlord imprisoned after the conflict.

Other potential presidential candidates, including Michel Aoun, are close to Hezbollah.


LBCI/REUTERS

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