Naharnet

Geagea Accuses Nasrallah of Exploiting Anti-Islam Film for 'Political Aims'

Lebanese Force leader Samir Geagea considered on Monday that Hizbullah Chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah exploited the anti-Islam film for political aims calling for a spiritual summit in Bkirki to resolve the matter.

"Nasrallah is very smart and Hizbullah's strategic leadership knows how to benefit from the circumstances," Geagea said in an interview with MTV.

He pointed out that Nasrallah abused the case to reach rather political aims.

Nasrallah warned Monday of "very dangerous" global repercussions if an anti-Islam film is released in its entirety.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets of Beirut's southern suburb to denounce the film at Nasrallah's request, who surprised supporters by making a rare public appearance.

"I strongly condemn this film that is silly and produced by a hateful person who has no morals," Geagea said.

He called for a spiritual summit in Bkirki to tackle the anti-Islam film, hoping that Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi would call for an international conference to resolve the matter.

The initially obscure "Innocence of Muslims," produced by a U.S. religious group, has been cited as one of the main instigators of riots that have killed 17 people from North Africa to the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Asked about the handshake at the Baabda Palace with al-Rahi, Geagea said that it was a "warm" handshake as the dispute is resolved and the relation is back to normal.

Concerning the national dialogue table, The LF leader said that he would not attend Thursday's session.

A session on July 24 was postponed after March 14 tied its participation to a government decision to provide security agencies with the so-called telecom data to help them investigate assassination attempts against MP Butros Harb and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea.

The data has since been handed over to the security apparatuses.

Another reason for the boycott was Hizbullah MP Mohammed Raad’s announcement that the national defense strategy is not currently necessary because Lebanon is still in the liberation stage.

The national dialogue resumed in June after a 19-month absence.

Geagea said that the presence of Iranian Revolutionary Guards in Lebanon didn't surprise him.

"The state has to assume its responsibilities concerning the matter as it's unacceptable," he noted.

On Sunday, the Guards commander said members of his elite special operations unit, the Quds Force, were in Syria and Lebanon but only to provide "counsel."

Geagea revealed that all his party's MPs are taking maximum precautionary measures as he expressed fear that security assassinations might occur.

Asked if he would run for the presidency, Geagea denied saying: "Only if enough MPs supported my candidacy I will run."

Source: Naharnet


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