Geagea Says Parties Need to Show 'Seriousness' on Fighting Corruption

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Monday said the parties represented in the government should prove that they are “serious” about combating corruption.

“The first chapter of the work of the government was not encouraging,” Geagea said, referring to Cabinet's latest session.

“Everyone has talked about fighting corruption, but the first chapter of the government's work has indicated that there is no seriousness in this fight,” Geagea added, noting that “the issue of public school teachers and the six degrees was raised from outside the agenda and without the needed files.”

“We burdened the treasury with additional expenses and the majority agreed to grant them the six degrees without knowing who among them succeeded (in qualification exams) and who didn't,” Geagea lamented.

He added: “If we have started in this manner, how would the international community believe the Lebanese behavior and grant us the CEDRE loans. I call on President (Michel) Aoun to return the decree and I urge Parliament to shoulder its responsibility.”

Noting that reform should start with the electricity and telecom sectors, Geagea warned that “we are not in a situation that allows us to waste any day of the government's tenure.”

“The numbers indicate swelling in employment in state administrations. We must address the flaw and end the treasury's deficit, or else we will be headed for disaster,” the LF leader added.

“To those who might tell us you have nothing to do with telecommunications we say: we are a political party that is concerned with all sectors in the country,” he went on to say.