Samir Geagea: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Samir Geagea <br />{{Nobold|{{lang|ar|سمير جعجع}}}}

| image = File:Geagea.jpg

| office1 = [[Lebanese Forces|Executive Chairman of Lebanese Forces]]

| term_start1 = 15 January 1986

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| death_place =

| party = [[Lebanese Forces]]

| otherparty = [[Kataeb Party]] {{small|(until 1992)}}<br />[[March 14 Alliance]] {{small|(until 2016)}}<br>Lebanese Opposition {{small|(2019-present2019–present)}}

| spouse = {{marriage|[[Sethrida Geagea|Sethrida Tawk]]|1990}}

| nationality = [[Lebanese nationality law|Lebanese]]

| alma_mater = [[American University of Beirut]]<br />[[Saint Joseph University]]

| signature = Samir Geagea Signature.pngsvg

| caption = Geagea in 2022

}}

{{Maronite Politics sidebar}}

'''Samir Farid Geagea''' ({{lang-ar|سمير فريد جعجع}},&nbsp;{{small|[[Lebanese Arabic]]:}} {{IPA-|ar|saˈmiːɾ faˈɾiːd ˈʒaʕʒaʕ|}} {{Pronunciation|En-us-Samir Geagea from Lebanon pronunciation (Voice of America).ogg|listen}}, also spelled '''Samir Ja'ja'''' ; born 25 October 1952) is a Lebanese politician and former Resistance[[Lebanese Forces (militia)|militia]] commander who has been leadingthe leader of the [[Lebanese Forces]] Christian political party and dissolvedformer militia since 1986.<ref>[[https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-samir-geagea-hezbollah-israel-gaza-01ea179f1b6f5a4b131a2b1f715d883f "Lebanese ForcesChristian (Lebaneseleader Resistance)|Lebanesesays ForcesHezbollah’s militia]fighting with Israel has harmed Lebanon,"] since 1986AP.</ref>

Born in [[Ain El Remmaneh|Ain al-Remaneh]] in [[Beirut]] with origins from [[Bsharri]], Geagea joined the Christian<ref>[https://lobelog.com/isis-improves-hezbollahs-standing/ "ISIS Improves Hezbollah’s Standing,"] ''Lobe Log''.</ref> [[Kataeb Party]] in his early years. He led the Northern Front in the Lebanese Forces from 1979 to 1984.<ref name="newlebanon.info">{{cite web|url=https://www.newlebanon.info/lebanon-now/288110/%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%87%D9%88-%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D8%B9%D8%AC%D8%B9 |title=من هو سمير جعجع؟ |publisher=Newlebanon.info |date= 25 October 2016|accessdate=2022-12-25}}</ref> In March 1985, after the deterioration of the Christian political situation in the eastern regions after the assassination of the Lebanese Forces leader [[Bachir Gemayel]], he led, jointly with [[Elie Hobeika]] and [[Karim Pakradouni]], an uprising that led to control of the political situation without any bloodshed.<ref name="newlebanon.info"/> On 15 January 1986, Geagea led a movement against the tripartite agreement sponsored by Syria to become the commander of the Lebanese Forces after the overthrow of Elie Hobeika, the head of the executive body at the time and one of the signatories of the tripartite agreement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/person/politicians-samir-geagea/|title = د . سمير جعجع}}</ref>

Geagea initially supported the "[[War of Liberation (1989–1990)|War of Liberation]]" declared by disputed Prime Minister General [[Michel Aoun]] against the Syrian Army. On 31 January 1990, General Aoun declared war on the Lebanese Forces led by Samir Geagea under the name "elimination war".<ref name="newlebanon.info"/> Led by SamirUnder Geagea, the Lebanese Forces agreed to the [[Taif Agreement|Taif Accord]] peace agreement that ended the [[Lebanese Civil War|civil war]] and ceded control of its territory and weapons to the army[[Lebanese Armed Forces|Lebanese Army]] in 1991. In accordance with the agreement, he immediately dissolved the military and security arm of the Lebanese Forces and surrendered all its military assets to the Lebanese Army. But as Beirut was under the control of the [[Syrian armyArmy]], the party members were undersubject a lot ofto pressure and the Syrian army was notforces goingrefused to withdraw as set out in the agreement.<ref name="reuters.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/what-is-lebanese-forces-party-2021-10-21/|title = Factbox: What is the Lebanese Forces party?|newspaper = Reuters|date = 21 October 2021}}</ref><ref name="samirgeagea.info">{{Cite web|url=https://samirgeagea.info/samir-geagea-biography/|title=Samir Geagea Biography|website=Dr. Samir Geagea|accessdate=25 December 2022}}</ref>

On 24 January 1990, Geagea was appointed a Minister of State in the first post-war cabinet, led by Prime Minister [[Omar Karami]]. Geagea rejected the position due to the flagrant control of the cabinet by the Syrian regime. On 16 May 1992, Geagea was again appointed as a minister in the [[Rachid Solh|Rashid El Solh]] cabinet, only to refuse it again for the same reasons. In 1994, Geagea was arrested and put on trial for bombing a church and political killings in the war. He denied the accusations and claimed he was the target of a political prosecution fabricated by the Syrian-Lebanese security apparatus.<ref name="reuters.com"/><ref name="samirgeagea.info"/>

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== Early life and education ==

Geagea was born in the Ain el-Remmeneh district in [[Beirut]] on 25 October 1952 to a modest [[Maronite Christianity in Lebanon|Maronite]] family from the town of [[Bsharri]] in [[North Lebanon|northern Lebanon]].<ref name="samirgeagea.info"/> His father, Farid Geagea<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jun-10/259613-geageas-father-passes-away.ashx#axzz34M8vGT7r|title=Geagea's father passes away |website=www.dailystar.com.lb}}</ref> was an adjutant in the [[Lebanese Army]]. His brother, Joseph, is a renowned mathematician in Maryland <ref>{{Cite web |title=JaJa, Joseph {{!}} Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering |url=https://ece.umd.edu/clark/faculty/415/Joseph-JaJa |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=ece.umd.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Samir Geagea Biography |url=https://samirgeagea.info/samir-geagea-biography/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Dr. Samir Geagea |language=en-US}}</ref> He attended "Ecole Bénilde" elementary and secondary school in Furn el-Chebek, which was a free private school. With the aid of a scholarship from the [[Gibran Khalil Gibran|Khalil Gibran]] association, he studied medicine at the [[American University of Beirut]] and then at [[Saint Joseph University]]. After the outbreak of civil war in 1975, Geagea interrupted his four years studies at the [[American University of Beirut]]. He was an active member of the right-wing [[Kataeb Party (Lebanon)|Phalangist Party]], which became the main Christian fighting force upon the outbreak of the [[Lebanese Civil War]] in 1975.<ref name="war">{{Cite book|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn= 978-0-275-95389-8|page=195|last= Abraham|first=Antoine|title=The Lebanon war|year=1996}}</ref> He is married to MP [[Sethrida Geagea]].

== War period (1975–1990) ==

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Geagea was appointed head of the [[Lebanese Forces]]' (LF) militia northern Front in the early 1980s, where he commanded around 1,500 battle-hardened soldiers, drawn mainly from his native town of Bsharri and other towns and villages in Northern Lebanon. Geagea led his men in fierce battles against the Syrian Army in [[El-Koura]], [[Battle of Qnat|Qnat]]. From 1982 to 1983, Geagea commanded the Lebanese Forces against Walid Jumblat's [[Progressive Socialist Party]] militia, the Palestinians, and the Syrians in a battle for control of the [[Chouf]] mountains in central Lebanon.

Following the Israeli withdrawal from Sidon on 15 February 1985 Geagea launched an LF offensive from the Christian villages East and North of [[Sidon]] targeting [[Ain al-Hilwa]] refugee camp as well as the city itself. By 24 April his fighters were forced to retreat resulting in the exodus of some 60,000 [[Maronite]]s from the villages of [[Iqlim al-Kharrub]].<ref>[[Middle East International]] No 309, 26 September 1987, Publishers [[Christopher Mayhew|Lord Mayhew]], [[Dennis Walters|Dennis Walters MP]]; [[Rosemary Sayigh]] pp.13-15</ref>

On 1 April 1990, during the War of Liberation, [[Elias Hrawi|Elias Hrawi’s]] government mandated Fleet Admiral [[Elie Hayek]] to take over [[Lebanese Forces (Resistance)|LF]] barracks in the governorate. This was part of an agreement between Samir Geagea and Hrawi whereby the army would militarily and politically take over 2/3 of the canton (the remaining 1/3 being the Northern governorate and Achrafieh in East Beirut), but the militia’s 10,000 strong force would remain intact for the time being.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/ArabTimes1990KuwaitEnglish/Apr%2012%201990%2C%20Arab%20Times%2C%20%237842%2C%20Kuwait%20%28en%29_djvu.txt|title=Full text of "Arab Times , 1990, Kuwait, English"|accessdate=25 December 2022}}</ref>

[[Michel Aoun]], however, had publicly stated that he would not accept the handoff or any alliance between the [[Lebanese Forces (Resistance)|LF]] and the Hrawi government. As the Elimination War was ravaging East Beirut and its suburbs (up to the Metn), the handoff actually began in [[Keserwan District|Keserwan district]] – at the level of Nahr el-Kalb – up to Barbara.<ref>Mideast Mirror 22 Oct. 1990, 23</ref> By May, however, the [[Lebanese Forces (Resistance)|LF]] had taken over the entire coastline from [[Jounieh]] to Beirut from Aoun’s troops, completely cutting off naval supply routes.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 October 2014 |title=Both sides pounded the Christian enclave daily claiming the lives of 615 people died, and more than 2,000 were wounded, half of them civilians |url=https://civilsociety-centre.org/sir/both-sides-pounded-christian-enclave-daily-claiming-lives-615-people-died-and-more-2000-were}}</ref> In addition, Geagea placed Hayek in an [[Lebanese Forces (Resistance)|LF]] barrack in [[Jounieh]] as a symbol of his willingness to integrate with the government, defying Aoun’s refusal of any Hrawi-LF alliance.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 March 1997 |title=Le procès dans l'affaire Murr prendra fin lundi avec les plaidoieries de Karam et du chef des FL Naïm qualifie d'illégale la procédure judiciaire et Rizk souligne le ralliement de Geagea à Taëf(photos) |url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/223734/Le_proces_dans_laffaire_Murr_prendra_fin_lundi_avec_les_plaidoieries_de_Karam_et_du_chef_des_FL_Naim_qualifie_dillegale_la_procedure_judiciaire_et_Riz.html}}</ref> These developments, combined with the Syrian army’s support, dramatically shifted the odds in favour of the [[Taif Agreement|Taif agreement]] and its government.

=== Lebanese Forces ===

[[File:Leila Hawi Zod.jpg|250px|rightleft|thumb|Samir Geagea and daughter of [[William Hawi]] – Leila]]On 12 March 1985, Geagea and Elie Hobeika orchestrated an internal coup in order to end the leadership of [[Fouad Abou Nader]] in the [[Lebanese Forces]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Lebanon: Information on the Jaejae, Hobeika and al-Kataeb groups |url=http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?docid=3ae6aaba24 |accessdate=4 July 2013 |publisher=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada}}</ref> Abou Nader was considered to be too close to his uncle, president [[Amin Gemayel]] whose policies were not accepted by most LF leaders.<ref name=":0" /> On 15 January 1986, Geagea became head of the Lebanese Forces after overthrowing Hobeika, who was widely accused{{by whom|date=June 2013}} of treachery in the Lebanese Christian sector for agreeing to a Syrian-sponsored accord (the [[Tripartite Accord (Lebanon)|Tripartite Accord]]). During the following year, Geagea meticulously rebuilt the LF into an organized, well trained and equipped military force, one of the most advanced forces ever on Lebanese soil. He established social security and public services to fill the void that was created by the war-crippled state administration.<ref>Collelo, ''Lebanon: a country study'' (1989), p. 223.</ref><ref>Barak, ''The Lebanese Army – A National institution in a divided society'' (2009), p. 115.</ref> He also extracted taxes from the Christian region, offered free open-heart operations and twinned Christians cities with foreign cities in Europe and America and tried to open an airport in the [[Halat, Lebanon|Halat]] region because the Beirut International Airport (located in the west suburb of Beirut) was under the control of the Syrian forces which made the access for Lebanese Christians almost impossible.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bfrFAAAAQBAJ&q=east+beirut+canton+lebanon+civil+war | title=States-Within-States: Incipient Political Entities in the Post-Cold War Era | publisher=Springer |last1=Kingston |first1=Paul |last2=Spears |first2=Ian S. | year=2004 | isbn=9781403981011 |page=89}}</ref>

== The post-war period (1990) ==

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=== Relations with the Kataeb party ===

In addition to being the LF leader, Geagea retained his seat in the [[Kataeb]] [[Politburo]]. In 1992, he ran for the [[Kataeb]] presidential election but lost to [[Georges Saadeh]] with whom the conflict grew. Later that year, Saadeh dismissed Geagea and all members of what was known as the "Rescue Committee" from the party.<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7DD153AF935A25752C0A965958260 Split Threatens Lebanon's Biggest Christian Party]. ''The New York Times'', 16 January 1993. Retrieved on 28 February 2008.</ref> The committee was formed by several members of the Politburo and districts leaders loyal to the LF and Geagea.

In 2022, [[Wiam Wahhab]] stated in an interview with [[MTV (Lebanon)|MTV]] that three hidden votes have been a factor in Samir Geagea's loss in the 1992 Kataeb presidential elections.<ref>{{cite web|title=إخفاء أصوات منعت جعجع من رئاسة الكتائب|url=https://www.annahar.com/arabic/section/76-سياسة/12032022083616468-amp}}</ref>

=== Arrest and trial ===

There was increased pressure by Syria on Geagea to accept the [[Syrian occupation of Lebanon|Syrian presence]] or face charges. Prior to his arrest, he was contacted by several sympathetic politicians and warned about the forthcoming proceedings and offered safe passage out of Lebanon. Geagea refused to leave.<ref name="bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.meib.org/articles/0405_ld.htm|title=Dossier: Samir Geagea Leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF) movement|access-date=5 July 2008|format=.html|author=Ziad K. Abdel Nour|work=Middle East Intelligence Bulletin|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040529013909/http://www.meib.org/articles/0405_ld.htm|archive-date=29 May 2004}}</ref> The Syrians exploited the vulnerabilities of the amnesty law promulgated by then president [[Elias Hrawi]] for all the crimes and atrocities committed before 1990. This law also stated that any crime committed after that date will void the effect of the amnesty. On 26 January 1994, Geagea went to [[Qardaha]], Syria to offer his condolences to President [[Hafez al-Assad]], following the death of his son [[Bassel al-Assad|Bassel]] in a car accident.<ref>{{cite book|author=Nader Moumneh|title=The Lebanese Forces: Emergence and Transformation of the Christian Resistance|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2018|page=201|isbn=9780761870760}}</ref> During his visit to Syria, president's brother-in-law, [[Mohammed Makhlouf]], asked him to talk with Syrian officers, but Geagea said that he only came for the funeral, which was considered as a refusal to cooperate with the Syrians.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lebanondebate.com/news/418081|script-title=ar:25 سنة على زيارة جعجع الى سوريا... تفاصيل تروى للمرة الاولى|website=lebanondebate.com|language=ar|date=21 January 2019}}</ref>

On 27 February 1994, a [[Saydet al-Najat Church Explosion (Lebanon, 1994)|bomb exploded in the Church of Sayyidet Al Najet]] (Our Lady of Deliverance) in the locality of [[Zouk Mikael]] killing 9 worshipers and injuring many. It is unknown who perpetrated the bombing and it was ultimately attributed to some shadowy groups, but Samir Geagea was accused of the crime solely for the purpose of voiding the effect of the amnesty law of which he benefited, in the same way as all political and militia leaders from other communities and regions were benefiting despite their many unspeakable crimes throughout the Lebanese civil war.<ref name="LLcrime"/><ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E04E3DF143AF93BA15751C0A962958260 Blast in Lebanon Church Kills 9 and Injures 60], ''The New York Times'', 28 February 1994. Retrieved on 27 March 2008.</ref> On 23 March 1994, the Lebanese government ordered the dissolution of the LF and Geagea's deputy Fouad Malek was taken into custody.<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B06E6D8133CF937A15750C0A962958260 Lebanon Detains Christian in Church Blast], ''The New York Times'', 24 March 1994. Retrieved on 27 March 2008.</ref> Geagea himself was arrested on 21 April 1994 in his village [[Ghidras|Ghadras]], on charges of ordering the church bombing, of attempting to undermine government authority by "maintaining a militia in the guise of a political party", of instigating acts of violence, and of committing assassinations during the [[Lebanese Civil War]]. He was accused of the assassinations of former prime minister [[Rashid Karami]],<ref name=alawin05>{{cite journal|last=Alagha|first=Joseph|title=Hizballah after the Syrian Withdrawal|journal=Middle East Report|date=Winter 2005|volume=237|issue=237|pages=34–39|jstor=30042473|doi=10.2307/30042473}}</ref> National Liberal Party leader [[Dany Chamoun]] and his family, and former LF member Elias Al Zayek. He was also accused of attempting to kill Minister Michel Murr. He was acquitted in the church case but given four life sentences in the other cases. [[Amnesty International]] criticized Samir Geagea's trial and conviction, citing that it was politically motivated and unjust.<ref name="bio"/><ref name="LA Times">[https://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-25/news/-mn-17158_1_civil17158-war-crimesstory.html "Lebanese Ex-Warlord Sentenced in Rival's Slaying : Mideast: Christian is the first militia chief convicted of civil war crimes. Many received amnesty. Eleven associates are also sentenced."], ''Los Angeles Times'', 25 June 1995. Retrieved on 14 October 2016.</ref><ref name="LCHRF">{{cite web|last=Amnesty International|title=Annual Report on Lebanon (1996)|work=Canadian Lebanese Human Rights Federation|access-date=22 June 2009|url=http://www.clhrf.com/reports/amesty96.htm}}</ref>

=== Imprisonment ===

Geagea was incarcerated for 11 years in a small windowless solitary cell in the third basement level of the Lebanese Ministry of Defense in [[Yarze]].<ref>[http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/commission/thematic51/34.htm UN Commission on Human Rights – Torture – Special Rapporteur's Report]. ''United Nations Economic and Social Council'', 12 January 1995. Retrieved on 22 February 2008.</ref> His health status was jeopardized and he lost weight dramatically due to the unsanitary condition of the ill lit and poorly ventilated prison cell.<ref name="USDS">{{Cite conference|publisher=U.S. Department of State|last=U.S. Department of State|title=Lebanon Human Rights Practices, 1995|access-date=11 July 2009|date=March 1996|url=http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/ERC/democracy/1995_hrp_report/95hrp_report_nea/Lebanon.html|archive-date=8 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508224433/http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/ERC/democracy/1995_hrp_report/95hrp_report_nea/Lebanon.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was deprived of access to media and the outside world and was only allowed to see his wife and close relatives. All of Geagea's conversations were monitored and he was barred from talking politics with anyone.<ref name="Lang">{{Cite news |last=Daragahi|first=Borzou|title =In Lebanon, rivals unconvinced by warlord's apology|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=11 July 2009|date=15 December 2008|url=https://articleswww.latimes.com/2008archives/la-xpm-2008-dec/-15/world/-fg-warlord15-story.html}}</ref>

For the duration of his incarceration, Geagea maintained that he meditated and reviewed his actions during the war to determine if what he did was right. He busied himself with reading literature, [[Hindu philosophy]], the [[Qur'an]], [[Christian theology]] and [[Christian mysticism|mysticism]] namely the works of [[Jesuit]] priest [[Pierre Teilhard de Chardin|Teilhard de Chardin]].<ref name="LLcrime"/><ref name="Lang"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-dec-15-fg-warlord15-story.html|title=An ex-warlord's act of contrition|date=15 December 2008|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

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== Current political activity ==

[[File:Samir Geagea (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Samir Geagea]]

On the Lebanese political scene, Geagea and the LF are considered to be the main Christian component of the 14 March Alliance.<ref name="LP">{{Cite book|edition=3|publisher= Lonely Planet|isbn= 978-1-74104-609-0|page=436|last=Carter|first=Terry|author2=Lara Dunston |author3=Amelia Thomas |title= Syria and Lebanon|year=2008}}</ref>

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However, the country entered into a 2 years presidential deadlock, which ended in 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/lebanon-ends-presidential-deadlock-lasting-consensus-key-02-11-2016|title=Lebanon Ends Presidential Deadlock; Lasting Consensus Key|access-date=2021-02-14|website=www.fitchratings.com}}</ref> with Geagea backing up his longtime rival Michel Aoun for the presidency<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-lebanon-idUSKCN0UW24V | title=Geagea reshapes Lebanese politics, backs rival Aoun | first=Tom | last=Perry | date=18 January 2016 | publisher=Reuters| access-date=28 June 2018 }}</ref> through the [[Maarab Agreement|Maarab Accord]]. Aoun was elected president, ending more than two years of [[2014–2016 Lebanese presidential election|presidential vacuum]].

=== RelationsLebanese crisis (2019-present) ===

During the beginning of the [[17 October Revolution|October 17 protests]], Geagea called for the resignation of the Prime Minister, due to the "resounding failure to halt the deterioration of the [country's] economic situation".<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 October 2019 |title=Geagea appelle Hariri à démissionner |url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1191589/geagea-appelle-hariri-a-demissionner.html |access-date=18 October 2019 |website=L'Orient-Le Jour |language=fr}}</ref> Geagea had previously blamed his opponents for "obstructing the necessary reforms," but since declared his "lack of confidence in the current cabinet." His party held four seats within the government: Minister of Labor [[Camille Abou Sleiman]], Minister of Administrative Development [[May Chidiac]], Deputy Prime Minister [[Ghassan Hasbani]], and Minister of Social Affairs [[Richard Kouyumdjian|Richard Kouyumjian]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Azar |first=Georgi |date=20 October 2019 |title=Lebanese Forces resign from Cabinet |url=https://en.annahar.com/article/1052943-lebanese-forces-resign-from-cabinet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130155815/https://en.annahar.com/article/1052943-lebanese-forces-resign-from-cabinet |archive-date=2019-11-30 |access-date=19 October 2019 |website=An-Nahar}}</ref>

On 6 August 2020, Geagea was the first politician to visit [[Beirut]] after the [[2020 Beirut explosion|explosion]]<ref>[https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/2020/08/06/%D8%AC%D8%B9%D8%AC%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85 "جعجع عن انفجار بيروت: طرف ما خزن تلك المواد القاتلة"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125114057/https://www.alarabiya.net/arab-and-world/2020/08/06/%D8%AC%D8%B9%D8%AC%D8%B9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%81%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7%D9%85|date=25 January 2022}}, ''[[Al Arabiya]]'', Lebanon, 6 August 2020</ref> and launched from there a relief committee, Ground-0, under the leadership of the former minister [[May Chidiac|Dr. May Chidiac]] to support in rebuilding Beirut. In December 2020, the committee achieved repairing 709 houses, assisted 5300 individuals and 2300 families, distributed 14000 food rations, made 2540 medical consultations, and provided 2030 individuals with medicine. In addition, the committee distributed more than 150 scholarships for Beirut schools' students.<ref>{{cite web |author=جبران خليل جبران |date= |title=Ground Zero Beirut |url=https://groundzerobeirut.org/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813004945/https://groundzerobeirut.org/ |archive-date=13 August 2022 |accessdate=3 August 2022 |publisher=Ground Zero Beirut}}</ref>

==== China ====▼

After the [[2021 Beirut clashes]], Geagea was summoned by military intelligence to testify about the events, as both [[Hezbollah]] and the Amal Movement accused his party of instigating the violence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chehayeb |first=Kareem |title=Lebanese Forces leader summoned to testify about Beirut clashes |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/25/lebanese-forces-leader-samir-geagea-summoned-beirut-clashes |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> Geagea denied these allegations, asserting that his supporters acted in self-defense against an attack by Hezbollah loyalists who had vandalized property in the area. On the day he was scheduled to appear, Geagea did not show up, and his supporters protested the summons, blocking roads in support. On 14 October 2021, protests were held in the Tayouneh neighborhood of Beirut by supporters of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement; several of the demonstrators were armed. They were calling for the removal of [[Tarek Bitar]], the judge appointed to investigate the Beirut port explosion in which [[Hassan Nasrallah]] called bias.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abi-Nassif |first=Christophe |date=15 October 2021 |title=Making sense of the Beirut clashes |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/making-sense-beirut-clashes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015204012/https://www.mei.edu/publications/making-sense-beirut-clashes |archive-date=2021-10-15 |website=[[Middle East Institute]]}}</ref> The demonstrators were shot at by [[snipers]] from nearby buildings, though the latter's identity was unclear but Geagea's rivals alleged it was the Lebanese Forces.<ref name="apusn">{{Cite web |title=Gunfire Breaks Out in Beirut During Protest of Judge; 6 Dead {{!}} AP News {{!}} 14. 10.2021 |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-10-14/armed-clash-erupts-in-beirut-in-protest-against-blast-judge |access-date=2021-10-19 |website=USNEWS |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="newsweek">[https://www.newsweek.com/economic-collapse-energy-crisis-fear-civil-war-lebanon-1639122 Economic Collapse, Energy Crisis, Now Fear of Civil War In Lebanon], 10/14/21 [[Newsweek]]</ref>

== Relations ==

[[File:Secretary Pompeo Meets With Samir Geagea.jpg|thumb|258x258px|U.S. Secretary of State [[Michael R. Pompeo]] meets with Samir Geagea, Sethrida Tawk and [[May Chidiac]] in [[Beirut]], Lebanon, on March 22, 2019]]

▲==== China ====

The Lebanese Forces party maintain a good relation with the [[Chinese Communist party]].<ref>{{cite news |date=28 July 2023 |title=القوات في الصين… طريق الحرير ومشروع المستقبل |url=https://www.lebanese-forces.com/2023/07/28/lebanese-forces-china/ |publisher=lebanese-forces.com}}</ref>On 23 November 2022, Geagea received an official invitation to visit [[China]].<ref>{{cite news |date=23 November 2022 |title=Geagea welcomes Chinese delegation |url=https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/en/politics/577782/geagea-welcomes-chinese-delegation-says-electing-r |publisher=nna-leb.gov.lb}}</ref>

==== France ====

After the [[2020 Beirut explosion]], Samir Geagea refused [[Emmanuel Macron]]'s request to name [[Mustapha Adib (diplomat)|Mustapha Adib]] to form the government.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/451947/The-process-for-naming-Mostafa-Adib-as-PM-carries-great-weight | title=The process for naming Mostafa Adib as PM carries great weight: Lebanese analyst | date= 1 September 2020 | publisher = Tehran Times}}</ref>

During the [[2022–2024 Lebanese presidential election]], Samir geageaGeagea accused [[France]] of supporting [[Suleiman Frangieh (politician, born 1965)|Suleiman Frangieh]] to serves its common interest with [[Hezbollah]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1335472/geagea-accuse-la-france-de-soutenir-frangie-pour-servir-ses-interets-communs-avec-le-hezbollah.html | title=Geagea accuse la France de soutenir Frangié pour servir ses "intérêts communs" avec le Hezbollah | date= 24 April 2023 | publisher = L'Orient-Le Jour}}</ref> On 14 December 2023, Samir Geagea declared that he no longer expectexpected anything from France during an interview with french weekly magazine [[Valeurs actuelles]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.valeursactuelles.com/clubvaleurs/monde/liban-je-nattends-plus-rien-de-la-france-soupire-samir-geagea | title=Liban : « Je n'attends plus rien de la France », soupire Samir Geagea | date= 15 December 2023 | publisher = Valeurs actuelles}}</ref>▼

==== Hezbollah ====▼

Geagea has consistently positioned the LF as a staunch opponent of [[Hezbollah]], criticizing its military power and political influence in Lebanon. He has accused Hezbollah of undermining Lebanon's sovereignty. In a speech during an annual martyrs event, Geagea declared his readiness for an "all-out" confrontation against Hezbollah, labeling the group and its allies as the "axis of crime." He stated that Hezbollah would not be allowed to ascend to the [[Baabda Palace|presidential palace]], indicating a firm stance against any political arrangements that would empower Hezbollah during the 2022 presidential elections. Geagea emphasized his refusal to negotiate with [[Hezbollah]] unless they let go of their primary candidate [[Suleiman Frangieh (politician, born 1965)|Suleiman Frangieh]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=جورج الخوري Plan B للرئاسة؟ |url=https://www.mtv.com.lb/news/%D9%85%D9%80%D9%80%D8%AD%D9%80%D9%80%D9%84%D9%80%D9%80%D9%8A%D9%80%D9%80%D8%A7%D8%AA/1431472/%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-plan-b-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B1%D8%A6%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9- |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=MTV Lebanon |language=ar}}</ref>▼

During the [[Israel–Hezbollah conflict (2023–present)|Israel–Hezbollah conflict]], Geagea accused Hezbollah of initiating hostilities with Israel, stating that such actions have not benefited Lebanon or the Palestinian cause. He remarked that Hezbollah's military operations in southern Lebanon have resulted in significant loss of life and destruction of villages, asserting that these actions have not aided [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]] but rather harmed Lebanon.<ref>[https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/306374 Geagea is against Hezbollah but says in case of war he'd be on Lebanon's side] [[Naharnet]] (05 July 2024)</ref> He called has repeatedly called for the reinforcement and implementation of [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701|Resolution 1701]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geagea Pleads for the Implementation of Resolution 1701 |url=http://www.mtv.com.lb/en/news/articles/1415884/geagea-pleads-for-the-implementation-of-resolution-1701 |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=MTV Lebanon |language=en}}</ref>

▲During the [[2022–2024 Lebanese presidential election]], Samir geagea accused [[France]] of supporting [[Suleiman Frangieh (politician, born 1965)|Suleiman Frangieh]] to serves its common interest with [[Hezbollah]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1335472/geagea-accuse-la-france-de-soutenir-frangie-pour-servir-ses-interets-communs-avec-le-hezbollah.html | title=Geagea accuse la France de soutenir Frangié pour servir ses "intérêts communs" avec le Hezbollah | date= 24 April 2023 | publisher = L'Orient-Le Jour}}</ref> On 14 December 2023, Samir Geagea declared that he no longer expect anything from France during an interview with french weekly magazine [[Valeurs actuelles]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.valeursactuelles.com/clubvaleurs/monde/liban-je-nattends-plus-rien-de-la-france-soupire-samir-geagea | title=Liban : « Je n'attends plus rien de la France », soupire Samir Geagea | date= 15 December 2023 | publisher = Valeurs actuelles}}</ref>

In September 2024, in a speech he accused Hezbollah of "confiscating the Lebanese people's decision on war and peace, as if there were no state," and starting "a war [with Israel] that the Lebanese people reject, but has been imposed on them. It is a war that the Lebanese people do not want and over which the government has had no say. This war does not serve Lebanon, it has brought nothing to Gaza, nor alleviated its suffering one iota."<ref>[https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/lebanese-forces-chief-condemns-hezbollah-on-fight-with-israel-6469942 "Lebanese Forces Chief Condemns Hezbollah On Fight With Israel; Iran-backed Hezbollah was the only Lebanese faction that did not disarm after the 1975-1990 civil war,"] NDTV.</ref>

▲==== Hezbollah ====

▲Geagea has consistently positioned the LF as a staunch opponent of [[Hezbollah]], criticizing its military power and political influence in Lebanon. He has accused Hezbollah of undermining Lebanon's sovereignty. In a speech during an annual martyrs event, Geagea declared his readiness for an "all-out" confrontation against Hezbollah, labeling the group and its allies as the "axis of crime." He stated that Hezbollah would not be allowed to ascend to the [[Baabda Palace|presidential palace]], indicating a firm stance against any political arrangements that would empower Hezbollah during the 2022 presidential elections.

==== Kurdistan ====

On 18 January 2012, Samir Geagea visited [[Iraqi Kurdistan]] where he received a hero's welcome in [[Erbil]]'s predominately Christian district of [[Ankawa]] and he met Kurdistan president [[Masoud Barzani]].<ref>{{cite web |date=18 January 2012 |title=Bashar Al-Assad's opponents are flowing to Iraqi Kurdistan |url=https://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2012/1/state5808.htm |newspaper=ekurd}}</ref>

==== Saudi Arabia ====

The LF is widely regarded as Saudi Arabia's main ally in Lebanon after Saad Hariri's retirement from Lebanese politics. This alignment stems from shared interests in countering Hezbollah's influence and Iranian presence in the country. In September 2017, Saudi Crown Prince [[Mohammed bin Salman]] met with Geagea in Jeddah and allegedly spoke about "common concerns".<ref>[https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2017/09/28/Saudi-crown-prince-meets-with-Lebanon-s-Samir-Geagea-in-Jeddah Saudi crown prince meets with Lebanon’s Samir Geagea in Jeddah] alarabiya.net (28 September, 2017)</ref> A [[List of material published by WikiLeaks|2015 leak of documents]] from [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Saudi Arabia)|Saudi Arabia's Foreign Affairs Ministry]] revealed that Geagea had asked for money to pay for bodyguards and boasted of his "preparedness to do whatever the kingdom asks of him."<ref name=":1" />