Latest news with #SamirGeagea
L'Orient-Le Jour
11 hours ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Energy Ministry faces backlash over talk of electricity rationing amid heat wave
BEIRUT — Lebanon is facing potential electricity rationing as a heat wave drives up consumption, triggering an online campaign against the Ministry of Energy and Water and its current leadership under the Lebanese Forces (LF). The Byblos Electrical Contracting Company, which operates under the Jbeil Electricity Concession, issued a statement Monday announcing "emergency measures due to the heat and rising demand." "Generator muffler doors will be opened from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to maintain cooling, and technicians may shut down generators for up to 90 minutes if temperatures exceed operational limits," the statement explains. According to the company, four generators have already broken down as a result of overheating, with efforts to replace them underway. Électricité du Liban (EDL) has not officially announced any rationing yet; however, the state electricity provider usually gives advance notice before implementing rationing. The ministry is headed by LF's Minister Joseph Saddi, who was unresponsive to L'Orient Today's request for comment. Amid concerns that Lebanon's electricity supply will one again be reduced, LF is facing backlash online and accusations of failing to deliver on past promises of 24/7 electricity. The criticism intensified after a video resurfaced of party spokesperson Charles Jabbour telling MTV that if the LF were handed the Energy Ministry, 'the Lebanese will be provided with 24 hours per day electricity,' a promise he said was made by LF leader Samir Geagea. 'When Dr. Geagea promises, he serves,' Jabbour added. The video has been widely circulated on X since Sunday night. During an interview last week, when asked what his party's promises were to the people of Lebanon with regard to electricity supply, LF MP Pierre Abou Assi responded simply: 'We don't promise them anything.' His answer roused further condemnation. FPM official, supporters participate in campaign Prominent in the online campaign against LF were Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) officials and supporters. 'Samir Geagea failed in just 6 months at the Ministry of Energy," Wadih Akl, a member of the FPM's political bureau, wrote on X. "Total blackout across all of Lebanon, complete darkness, increase in gasoline and diesel prices for citizens, scandals involving fake or tainted fuel ... The result: not zero, below zero. This is militia rule.' Last week, Cabinet took a decision to remove Jean Gebran, head of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment, whose term had ended in 2021. However, informed sources told al-Markazia the dismissal was linked to 'his use of the institution to further his electoral ambitions, having announced plans to run as the Free Patriotic Movement's candidate in Jbeil next year.' The same sources said the decision was 'not political retaliation but a reform step,' pointing to Gebran's 'blatant use of services and hiring in Jbeil and Kesrouan as a form of political clientelism.' LF supporters respond to FPM Supporters of LF took to X to defend their party's position. Gilda Ayouby, whose X shows her support to LF wrote: "To have electricity available 24/7, there are only two solutions. The first is to secure external funding to build power plants and purchase fuel. The second is for Gebran Bassil to return 10 percent of what he stole from the Ministry of Energy. There is no third option." Laure Challita wrote: "You had the Energy Ministry with you for seventeen years — what have you done besides stealing?" 'Malfunctions in supply network' MTV reported that Saddi met with EDL Director General Kamal Hayek on Monday morning to follow up on the supply network's malfunctions. Saddi reportedly requested an investigation into whether sabotage could be behind some of the outages, after receiving 'information suggesting suspicions about the nature of some of the recent power outage incidents.' A source at EDL told L'Orient Today on Monday that the power outage in the Zouk network that occurred Sunday is being repaired and electricity is expected to be restored around midnight. The cause of the outage, according to EDL, was a drop in the insulation on a connector bridge of a high-voltage transformer. The malfunction occurred at the Zouk thermal power plant's main substation, "due to humidity and intense heat."
MTV Lebanon
6 days ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Kanaan meets Geagea, calls for dialogue in national interest
Lebanese Forces Party leader Samir Geagea met yesterday with MP Ibrahim Kanaan, at the party's headquarters in Maarab, with Strong Republic bloc MP Melhem Riachi also attending the hour-long meeting. Following talks, Kanaan spoke briefly with reporters, emphasizing the importance of maintaining dialogue among all political forces 'for the good and interest of the Lebanese people.' He noted that the meeting addressed 'all elements necessary to revive the country and restore hope to the Lebanese people.' When asked about concerns that the streets could become a battleground for internal score-settling, Kanaan expressed hope that such a scenario would be avoided and that 'matters proceed in the right direction.' Commenting on the issue of Hezbollah's weapons, Kanaan stated: 'Let's wait and see what the government decides on this matter. There are institutions and constitutional mechanisms that must be respected and upheld. In the end, we are all sons of the state, and we all want the state.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Barrack Assures Lebanon that the US Won't Abandon it
US envoy Tom Barrack tried on Tuesday to playdown the remarks he made a day earlier about Lebanon, assuring that Washington will not abandon the country. After meetings with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Monday, Barrack had said that the US cannot 'compel' Israel to do anything, holding the Lebanese state responsible for the disarmament of Hezbollah. The envoy met with parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Tuesday, briefly describing the talks as 'excellent' and that efforts were underway to restore stability. He added that the people must hold on to hope. Before the meeting, Barrack said he was 'optimistic' about his visit to Lebanon, stressing that the US will not abandon the country. Asked by reporters about why the US refuses to give Lebanon the guarantees it is demanding, he replied that the problem isn't about guarantees. A statement from Berri's office said the meeting, which lasted over an hour, tackled the developments in Lebanon and the region. On Monday, the Lebanese presidency said it had handed the envoy a 'comprehensive draft' covering how to implement Lebanon's pledges since the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel took effect in November. The draft included the 'pressing need to save Lebanon by allowing the state alone to impose its authority throughout its territories.' It also called for limiting the possession of weapons to the state. Meanwhile, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea slammed the state's response to American demands. He said the Lebanese response was handed to the envoy without even referring to the government, slamming the move as a violation of the constitution. The government as the executive authority in the country should have been referred to ahead of turning over the response, he stressed. The parliament, as the legislative authority, was also overlooked 'After everything that has happened and everything that we continue to endure, the Lebanese state's response to the American proposals – with the exception of some superficial statements – fall in Hezbollah's favor,' he lamented. 'The illegal weapons in Lebanon are not an American problem. The weapons after the 2024 war are no longer an Israeli problem, but primarily a Lebanese one,' he continued. 'The existence of illegal military and security groups in Lebanon, starting with Hezbollah, has undermined and continues to undermine the state,' Geagea added. These groups have 'usurped and continue to usurp the state's strategic decision-making power. The dismantling of these groups has become the demand of the majority of the Lebanese people. All of Lebanon's friends in the east and west, especially in the Arab Gulf, echo this demand.' 'Unfortunately, the Lebanese state's response has taken us back several years and exposes Lebanon to major dangers and more tragedies. Those behind the response are fully responsible for what may happen,' Geagea said. The Kataeb party called on 'all Lebanese forces to fortify constitutional institutions,' warning of the danger of failing to tackle the issue of illegal weapons and against the state failing to impose its authority throughout the country. The persistence of the current situation will harm national unity or fuel extremism, it warned after its politburo meeting. It called on Hezbollah to 'seize the opportunity to disarm immediately and unconditionally, return to the state and become seriously involved in shaping state institutions in line with the constitution.'
L'Orient-Le Jour
29-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Geagea warns against 'a dirty summer' in Lebanon
The head of the Lebanese Forces (LF), Samir Geagea, warned Tuesday in an interview with Asharq al-Awsat against the inability of Lebanese government to resolve the issue of Hezbollah's weapons, which he said have become "useless for the protection of Lebanon and bring only damage and destruction." He also said that Lebanon faces two options: either a government decision to dissolve armed organizations or having to face "a dirty summer." Asked about security risks in Lebanon this summer, at a time when the government still has not started disarming Hezbollah, Geagea said he did not know if the coming months would be marked "by a large-scale Israeli war, or broader military escalation ... but what is certain is that if we continue like this, we will have a dirty summer." The paper also reported "rumors concerning the August 1 deadline set by the United States for the start of the process leading to a state monopoly on weapons." "Why does Hezbollah cling to these useless objects it possesses? Why does it cling to a military organization parallel to that of the state?" he questioned. "Saying these weapons are meant for the defense of Lebanon is just empty rhetoric. Where is the defense?" adding that the party "is trying to maintain a military and security structure that has no positive impact whatsoever on Lebanon's defense — on the contrary, only a negative one." The question of Hezbollah's disarmament polarizes the entire Lebanese political scene, as international pressure increases following the Nov. 27, 2024 cease-fire that ended the war between Hezbollah and Israel. The United States is demanding a precise timeline and a clear, public position regarding the surrender of weapons and the modalities of implementation. Hezbollah, which continues to refuse handing over its arsenal or set a timetable for doing so, remains adamant in its rejection of a new agreement, insisting on the need to force Israel to implement the cease-fire. Disarming Hezbollah, a 'Lebanese demand' Geagea also criticized the "logic" that disarming the party without its consent could trigger a civil war in Lebanon. "I reject this statement. The president was elected with a large majority, and the current government has twice obtained the confidence of the legitimately elected Parliament. These authorities must decide on the course of action, not invoke such excuses," he stated. The LF leader said that "the demand to disarm the party and dissolve its military forces is not so much an international demand as a Lebanese one, stipulated in the inaugural address, the government's ministerial statement, and the Taif Agreement." "What is needed is for the government to meet now and decide to dissolve all the country's armed organizations within a period of one, two or four months, and to instruct the Lebanese army to implement this decision," he said. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem stated in mid-July that his group "will not give up its strength" and that it was "ready to face" Israel. The party continues to link opening dialogue about its weapons to the end of daily attacks by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon and to the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from the five positions still occupied. "We will continue our political pressure. We are in continuous contact with the president and the prime minister. We are in talks with the main political parties in the cabinet for a decision banning all armed groups." He also criticized the process of having Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri discuss with Hezbollah before reporting back to the government. "That means the state does not wield its full authority," he stated. Parallel with Syria "We see everyone putting pressure on Israel to stop the war in Gaza, but no one talks about what Israel is doing in Lebanon. We must make use of our ties with Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, with the West and the United States, to put an end to Israeli hostilities and expel Israel from our land," said Geagea. "We run the risk of seeing our friends turn their backs on us." He also expressed fear of a halt to funding for UNIFIL and the Lebanese Army, "if the situation remains as it is." "France had promised a conference to help Lebanon, but it has set no date because of the American refusal. The conference scheduled for autumn might not take place because the outside world is tired of our situation," he stated. "There are Arab projects in Syria worth tens of billions of dollars, while we wait for Berri and [US envoy] Tom Barrack," he said. Addressing the security situation in Syria and the fear of spillover into Lebanon, Geagea said that "the Moumanaa axis (supporters of Hezbollah) is trying to find excuses to keep its weapons." Barrack has made several visits to Beirut during which he has called on the Lebanese government to fully assume their responsibilities regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah.
L'Orient-Le Jour
23-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Geagea pays Joumblatt a rare visit to talk Sweida, weapons, and diaspora vote
Politicians have their fair share of meetings, but this one is worth noting. On Wednesday, Samir Geagea, Christian leader and the head of the Lebanese Forces, made a rare trip to meet with Druze leader and former head of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Joumblatt at the latter's Clemenceau has kept his movements limited since a wave of assassinations targeting opponents of Hezbollah between 2005 and 2013, and this unusual visit comes in the aftermath of a wave of violence that hit the majority-Druze province of Sweida in southern Syria last week. Government-aligned fighters, Druze militiamen and Bedouins fighters clashed, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,200 people and causing some to fear the violence would spill over into described his talks with Joumblatt as "fruitful and useful at all...
