Geagea urges Vance to separate Lebanon from Iran

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged on Monday U.S. Vice President JD Vance to support the Lebanese state and separate the Lebanese negotiations from the U.S.-Iran talks.

Geagea argued that the best way the U.S. can support Lebanon right now is by reinforcing its legitimate institutions as the country's sole authority. He called for restricting all negotiations exclusively to the Lebanese state and permanently sidelining Iran from the Lebanese file, after the U.S. and Iran agreed to set up a "de-confliction cell" with Lebanon "to ensure the adherence of the termination of military operations" there.

Israeli strikes and clashes with Hezbollah late last week threatened to derail the deal, but fighting in Lebanon has been paused since Saturday evening, after Iran said it had closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz again in response to Israel's attacks on Lebanon.

Geagea said the greatest contribution that can be made to Lebanon's Christians and all Lebanese alike is helping the state extend its authority over all Lebanese territories and disarm Hezbollah.