Naharnet

Geagea: Supporters of Apostolic Exhortation Cannot Back Assad, Killers in Govt.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated on Friday that the current conflict in the region does not center around Sunnis and Shiites, but Syria and the conflict over establishing a democratic regime instead of the current one.

He said during a seminar in Maarab on the Apostolic Exhortation: “Those who support the Exhortation cannot back Syrian President Bashar Assad and the killers in the (Lebanese) government.”

He made his reference to Hizbullah ministers in cabinet and his recent accusation that the party “played an executive role” in the October 19 assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau chief Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan.

Geagea continued: “The most important aspect of the Apostolic Exhortation was its demand that Christians and Muslims coexist in the region.”

“Any group that places itself outside of current events is effectively placing itself outside of history,” added Geagea.

“Those who support the Apostolic Exhortation cannot be allied with dictatorial regimes or be allied with Assad,” he stressed.

“Those who support the Apostolic Exhortation cannot back murders and be part of the Mamlouk-Samaha axis,” he added.

Former minister Michel Samaha was arrested in August on charges of forming a criminal gang aimed at carrying out attacks in Lebanon at Syria's behest.

Syrian security chief Ali al-Mamlouk and a Syrian general known as Adnan were also charged in the case.

Pope Benedict XVI had signed the Apostolic Exhortation during his visit to Lebanon in September.

The declaration is aimed at preserving religious and cultural diversity in the Middle East.

It also urges Christians to remain in the region despite the hardships they may face.


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