Geagea urges authorities to seek 'actual state' after Barrack's remarks
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Sunday warned Lebanese authorities against 'continuing their hesitation and slow decisions as to the rise of an actual state in Lebanon,' following U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's latest remarks that Lebanon risks being swallowed by its neighbors.
Lebanese authorities 'would be held responsible for putting Lebanon the country and state in an existential danger once again,' Geagea warned.
'Barrack's statement is a call for action addressed to the Lebanese authorities and government and Lebanese authorities must take a decision as soon as possible and take the needed practical steps to turn Lebanon into an actual state, which alone would represent the guarantee to all Lebanese groups, or else they will keep Lebanon as an arena that can be violated once again,' the LF leader cautioned.
Barrack has warned in an interview with the UAE's The National newspaper that Lebanon risks being swallowed by regional powers unless it acts to address Hezbollah's arms and implement reforms.
'You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again,' he said, using the historical name for the Syria region.
'Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we need to move. And I know how frustrated the Lebanese people are. It frustrates me,' he added.
Barrack also said that the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Qatar are ready to help if Lebanon takes the lead.
As for Lebanon's response to his latest proposal, the envoy said: 'I thought it was responsive, very responsive,' while acknowledging that sticking points remain.
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