Geagea: The State Can't Grow Strong in Presence of 'Illegitimate Armed Groups'

Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea stressed on Friday that a strong state is “incapable of rising” as long as there are “armed groups lingering outside the framework of legitimacy.”

“A capable strong state will not emerge as long as there are armed groups lingering outside the framework of legitimacy and as long as the decision of peace and war are out of the state's control,” said Geagea.

Geagea's comments came after a battle waged in the outskirts of Arsal between Hizbullah and al-Nusra Front militant group.

Hizbullah began the assault on fighters from al-Qaida's former Syrian affiliate, previously known as al-Nusra Front, in the border region of Arsal's outskirts last week.

Lebanon's army has not officially declared its participation in the Hizbullah operation, but has shelled "terrorists" in the area.

Separately, Geagea pointed out that “the Assad regime could not bear the opposition of the Lebanese Forces and has therefore bombed the church of Saydit Al Najat (Our Lady of Deliverance) and accused the LF in order to dissolve the party and bring me to prison.

“Not to mention persecution of thousands of LF youth who were arrested just because they support the LF,” he concluded.