LebaneseForces.com: Fighting for Freedom

Gen. Aoun, Geagea Agree on 'Consensus or Democratic Rivalry'

The Maronite community has seized the political limelight in Lebanon on the 16th anniversary of President Rene Mouawad's assassination in which his widow, Social Affairs Minister Naila Mouawad, demanded that President Lahoud step down because he "is the head of the police state system in Lebanon."

Mouawad made her call in the course of observing the anniversary Sunday at the courtyard of the Maronite Patriarchate in Bkirki which saw a massive turnout of Saad Hariri's Future Tide, Walid Jumblat's Progressive Socialist Party, the Cornet Shahwan coalition of center-right Christian politicians, Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces and notably Gen. Aoun's Free Patriotic Party.

There were thunderous roars of approval from the crowd when Mrs. Mouawad took the floor to address the rally after Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir delivered a sermon in which he condemned the Mouawad assassination and the following chain of murders of Lebanese politicians, religious leaders, and journalists during the era of Syrian tutelage over Lebanon.

"Had the culprits been brought to justice after President Mouawad's tragic assassination, the last of Lebanon's martyrs, ex-Premier Rafik Hariri, would have been alive amongst us today," Sfeir said.

The media focused on what it called The Maronite Summit, which combined Geagea and Aoun at the General's Rabieh mansion. They said after the meeting that they have reached an accord that "regulates their consensus or rivalry within a democratic concept."

Geagea said the question of Lahoud's resignation was raised in his talks with Gen. Aoun, but no decision was reached on the timing of such a resignation.

President Lahoud, in turn, ridiculed Mrs. Mouawad's campaign for his resignation as "just a propaganda gimmick to clear the way for her to become president."

Posted by 40-Tactical on Monday, November 28, 2005 | Permalink

Jumblat, Geagea Agree on Cementing Lebanon's Independence after Syria's Departure

Lebanon's one-time deadliest civil war enemies have held their first conference in Beirut since 1991 and agreed on the need to "consolidate Lebanon's independence" after the downfall of Syria's 29-year reign of terror.

Druze leader Walid Jumblat left his impenetrable fortress at his palatial residence in the Shouf mountain town of Mukhtara southeast of Beirut and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea left his redoubt in a Cedar forest mountain top in northern Lebanon for the meeting in the capital.

The two leaders who fielded the mightiest rival Christian and Druze militias during the 1975-1990 civil war agreed on the need for dialogue among all Lebanese factions on the political spectrum to "consolidate and buttress Lebanon's independence," An Nahar reported Thursday.

Their meeting was held at Jumblat's house in Beirut's Clemenceau district. The two leaders held face-to-face talks in the presence of Druze parliament member Wael Abou Faour and none of the three was willing to speak about specific topics of discussion.

Nora Jumblat and Sitrida Geagea later joined their husbands in a late night dinner. The choice of Jumblat's Clemenceau house as a venue was in return for Jumblat's visit to Geagea's house in Zouk Mosbeh for talks with Mrs. Geagea about the drive to free the LF commander from 11 years in jail last July.

Geagea and Jumblat first met at a dinner thrown by ex-President Elias Hrawi in 1991. But they did not talk or shake hands or even acknowledge the presence of each by the other.

Jumblat was asked by reporters after the meeting to comment on the letter sent by Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otari to Premier Saniora concerning a stage-by-stage demarcation of the 2 countries' borders. "Otari should have sent an apology to Saniora" for President Assad's abuse against the Lebanese prime minister, Jumblat said.

Posted by 40-Tactical on Friday, November 25, 2005 | Permalink

Another Response to Emile Moukarzel's Resignation

Dear Colleagues, We are not used to reply on others comments and defend our policy and behavior. Well, I was not surprised after checking your website upon a friend's request, to read all these funny comments on Emile's and the whole American Universities Unit resignation from its responsibilities. Resigning is neither escaping nor playing the heroes role, but clearly holding the liabilities of the result of your job. Well I hope one day all of you guys will have the chance to work closely with Emile Moukarzel with whom I was proud to cooperate with and fight for our cause since 1997. When you win, the whole team triumph but when you fairly lose you have to individually bare it so that the team keep on fighting and try to win it back. For you NDU guys I say that the actual 47% of your mates votes will definitely lead you to glory next year and give you back the credit for the great effort you made during the past two months.

Hoping that you post this article.

Best Regards
Tareck Karam
Public Relations Executive(Resigned)
American Universities Unit
Lebanese Forces

Posted by 40-Tactical on Tuesday, November 22, 2005 | Permalink

The Guardians of the Cedars Hereos Are Free

The Guardians of the Cedars - National Lebanese Movement would like to thank the Lebanese people in general and the Guardians of the Cedars members specially for all the support that they showed in order to free our 3 heroes: Habib Younes, Joseph Tawok and Naji Awdei are now FREE, congratulation for everyone, as for the MP's who attacked us, we advice them next time to READ our Press Communique before they attack us in front of the Arabic Media who spread lies such as Assafir Newspaper, New Tv and many more. Congratulation for Lebanon and the Lebanese cause.

Lebanon, At your service
The Guardians of the Cedars - National Lebanese Movement

Posted by 40-Tactical on Monday, November 21, 2005 | Permalink

A Response to Emile Moukarzel's Resignation

I want to start first by saying hi to all the rifa2. About the issue of Emile Moukarzel, I would like to say that I have personally worked with him for several years and I was his vice president before I traveled. I worked with him in last years election at NDU and I know what it takes to make it possible to win at NDU. Everyone has to know that we faced many large obstacles that stood in our way and against us. People don't seem to realize how difficult the elections are and they also need to remember that the American universities cell were the best in Lebanon concerning evrything. Emile is one of the rare people that admitted he made a mistake and took action, meanwhile a lot, A LOT of people in the Lebanese Forces are in it because they are trying to seek a high position and care about nothing else. Emile Moukarzel didn't join the Lebanese Forces because he failed everything in his life and the LF was only option. He joined the Lebanese Forces because he believed in the Lebanese Forces.

I hope you will post this message on your website with the post on his resignation.

Best Regards
BAKHOS ALWAN

Posted by 40-Tactical on Sunday, November 20, 2005 | Permalink

Emile Moukarzel and Mark Saad Relinquish their Positions

After the humiliating defeat in the recent university elections in addition to the chaos that took place at the American Universities, the LF responsible for the American university branches, Emile Moukarzel and his Vice President Marc Saad resigned from their post. Hopefully the head of the LF Students Danielle Spiro will follow in their steps.

More info here.

Posted by 40-Tactical on Saturday, November 19, 2005 | Permalink

Aoun, Geagea Students Trade Baton Charges, Chair-Hurling Assaults at LU Campus

Students of Gen. Aoun's Free Patriotic Party and Samir Geagea's Lebanese Forces traded baton charges behind three rounds of chair-throwing assaults and fistfights at the Business Administration faculty of the state-run Lebanese University in Ashrafiyeh's Karm El Zaytoun neighborhood in Beirut on Thursday. Security sources said Friday at least 10 persons were injured.

The flare-up has marked a growing animosity between the two factions in several universities across Lebanon's Christian heartland and in the American University of Beirut, the most prestigious academic center in the Middle East, Beirut's LBCI and ANB television networks noted.

The two stations ran footages of the Karm El Zaytoun's clashes, including the intervention of army troops and riot police to disengage the battlers and arrange for ambulances to take the injured, most of them from the LF, to nearby hospitals.

Among the injured was LF student Roukoz Fleihan, who was rushed to Hotel Dieu Hospital with serious injuries he suffered from a savage beating with sticks on his head, shoulders and back, the two TV networks reported pictorially.

The clash erupted over attendance of a solidarity rally the two sides had agreed to hold in support of Lebanese prisoners in Syrian jails. Students of both parties claimed each side attempted to bloc the other from the venue of the rally. Legislator Ghassan Moukhaiber was supposed to give a lecture about ways to resolve the plight of prisoners in Syria.

Posted by 40-Tactical on Friday, November 18, 2005 | Permalink

Lahoud Holds Secret Meeting with Aoun

An Nahar said Sunday President Lahoud met secretly with Gen. Aoun at the President's family house in Bayada over the previous weekend.

An Nahar said Aoun insisted on the secrecy shroud for the meeting, saying he had to cancel the scheduled face-to-face conference with the President at Bayada ten days ago because the meeting was leaked to the media beforehand.

There was no word in An Nahar's report about what was discussed in the actual meeting of the two leaders. Lahoud is in desperate need of Aoun's backing to face widespread demands for his resignation because of the shadows of the Hariri assassination.

Posted by 40-Tactical on Sunday, November 13, 2005 | Permalink

University Elections Update

The Lebanese Forces Students have lost both the USJ and the LAU Byblos elections this year. Hopefully next year we will be better organized and we will win.

Posted by 40-Tactical on Friday, November 11, 2005 | Permalink

May Waves for First Time from Hospital Window to LF Students

May Chidiac has for the first time looked from the window of her room in Hotel Dieu hospital to wave greetings to Lebanese Forces college students who staged a courtyard tribute of prayers for the LBCI anchorwoman who was maimed by a booby-trap that exploded in her car in Jounieh on Sept. 25.

Students of Samir Geagea's LF observed a 'day of solidarity with May' on Tuesday during which they staged a march from the business administration faculty of the Lebanese University in Ashrafiyeh to the mid-city hospital entrance.

An olive tree was planted at the university campus to honor May, who also was awarded the Francophonie 'Prize of Freedom of Expression' for 2005. Her sister, Micheline Baaklini, LBCI presenter Dolly Ghanem and LF legislator George Adwan helped plant the tree.

There is no word yet as to when May would be able to leave hospital.

Posted by 40-Tactical on Thursday, November 10, 2005 | Permalink

GOC Demonstration in Lebanon

The Guardians of the Cedars party invite you to join them in a demonstration in Lebanon this Saturday at 3PM in front of the Escwa building.

Posted by 40-Tactical on Thursday, November 10, 2005 | Permalink

A call To Hakim

I feel it is my duty to my community, to my beliefs, and to you that I bring to your attention the dangers the LF is facing these days. I will begin by clearly dictating that this call is not targeted against individuals, whether it is the ones around you these days, or the ones that fell out of favors, or even the ones that had enough with what’s going on and decided to move along with their choices. The intentions of this small letter are the opposite, this call is an attempt to bring these groups together to face the upcoming challenges.

I feel that the only way outside this disorganized noise the LF is stuck in is through a full democratic election to all the positions under the Executive leadership. The LF crowds are feeling left out, they are bey al 3reess so to speak and they feel they did not get invited to the wedding.

I know that you need time to adjust to all the changes, and I know that you have everyone clamping on you asking for something or want you to do or say … but Hakim the LF needs your decisive leadership now more then ever or all is lost. Time is the enemy here...

I ask you, or better said the LF asks you, as the executive leader, to call for an internal election to take place in a period that does not surpasses 6 months. During these 6 months, the LF will have its door open for memberships. A democratic election that will hopefully results in a good talented team you can work with to continue the rebuilding process.

I fear if such action is not taken, many of our educated hard working people will be pushed aside (one way or another) and the LF will become another Kateab.

God Bless and keep you safe. God bless Lebanon.

From the LF Forum
By Botrys

Posted by 40-Tactical on Tuesday, November 08, 2005 | Permalink

Geagea looks for closer relations with Hizbullah

The leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF) said Wednesday he would like to see his Maronite Christian group in a closer relationship with Shiite party Hizbullah. Samir Geagea, head of the LF executive committee, said during the last parliamentary elections that LF had contacts and relations with Hizbullah "and we hope they advance forward."

Geagea made his stand clear during a news conference at the Cedars on Wednesday.

Regarding LF's relation with the Hizbullah in the light of the implementation of UN Resolution 1559, Geagea said that at present, "We should focus on Resolution 1595." This resolution called for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the murder of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

When asked if he supported Resolution 1559, he asserted that he supported resurrecting the state, reiterating "we cannot demand the implementation of any resolution except 1595."

Geagea stressed that LF did not have a problem with anyone despite differing points of view. This is normal in a democratic regime, said Geagea.

The LF leader also stressed the Taif Accord should govern Lebanon's domestic and foreign policy. He explained the accord should lay the foundation for dialogue in dealing with Palestinian arms inside the refugee camps and in bases along the Syrian border. Geagea stressed that dialogue was the "necessary means to solve all issues."

Replying to a question on his meeting with Egyptian Ambassador Hussein Derar on Tuesday, Geagea said Egypt had an important role to play in the region, adding that it had always stood beside Lebanon.

Commenting on Metn MP Michel Murr's comments that the presidency issue should not be discussed at this stage, Geagea said the entire situation "is being laid on the table."

"The transitional stage cannot go on forever," he said.

Commenting on former Minister Suleiman Franjieh's suggestion to bury the hatchet on past disputes, Geagea said: "Definitely, we will have an answer, and it will be a positive one ... but the problem is that I remained 11 years in prison, and once I got out, everybody wants everything from me."

He added that he needed more time to weigh things, but said he was ready to speak with all parties, including Franjieh.

During parliamentary elections in the North, Tony Franjieh, a member of the Marada militia that was created by former president Suleiman Franjieh, shot two LF members in Dahr al-Ain.

"Ever since the end of the war, we agreed not to go back to the past," said Geagea, adding that the Dahr al-Ain's incident was being followed up legally.

Meanwhile, LF MP George Adwan said Lebanon could not be built except on coexistence and real partnership, where each citizen should accept his fellow citizen.

He stressed that everyone was under the rule of state, so "there should be no arms except for the State's."

Adwan added that a country could not be built under the patronage of another state.

"We do not want to replace the Syrian hegemony by any other, whether they are American, French or Saudi," he said.

Adwan said the no one knows Lebanon's interests more than the Lebanese themselves, stressing the decision regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict was that it would be the last country to sign a peace accord with Israel.

Posted by 40-Tactical on Friday, November 04, 2005 | Permalink

Guardians of Cedars Leaders get Life in Jail

This is absolutely outrageous!! For simply stating their opinion and for having documented on a CD the 30 year old GOC slogan!!! Would anyone among the Christian leadership dare open their mouth and protest what they know to be a deeply political and unjust situation???? In fact a single read of the judge's recommendation is enough to demonstrate that all the classic buttons that make our once-pro-syrian-always-pro-syrian compatriots' tick have been pushed by the 3 GOC unfortunates.. and that alone sealed their fate..

Our illustrious "shadow politico-judiciary system" is taking its revenge on the weakest christian link now, because the previously stronger leak is playing nice.. Sadly it seems that everyone is willing to turn the other way while Habib Younes and his colleagues (JOURNALISTS AND LAWYERS ,ya jame3a not machete yielding fanatics) pay the ultimate price. I would like to remind everyone here that in the caves of the Lebanese Justice system, many falsely accused or outreageously accused LFers and others remain..and they are getting ready to welcome more..

The daily star further expands the judge's statement which includes:
attempted to restart their organization with calls for "a return to the 1926 Constitution, withdrawing Lebanon from the Arab League, distinguishing Lebanon from its

Arab surrounding based on the fact that Arabism was created and confined to the Arab peninsula and only brought destruction to Lebanon."

The officers had called for the Lebanese Army's dogma of Arabism to be changed and accused the Lebanese judiciary of dishonesty after it had issued what they felt was an unjust verdict against their leader Etienne Saqr.

Hammoud said that the most worrying moment of the group's conference was when they issued slogans calling for "the expulsion of Palestinians from Lebanon and the confiscation of their properties."

Basically they are being sent AWAY FOR LIFE because they don't like Arabism and because they called for the expulsion of the palestinians: is this against our constitution??? And even if Ghazi and Roustoum made it so, is it sooo criminal to be opposed to it bil haki???

If the christian politicians are holding their breath until Lahoud's seat is filled, where are the journalists?? why isn't our newly emboldened media addressing this situation???

I surely hope they mange to find a good lawyer to help them (they are probably not that wealthy)..may be muhammad matar will volunteer..and I hope enough support can be drummed up to get Amnesty International interested ... At any rate, their fate is sealed.. The judge is asking for life.. they probably will end up with 10-15 years.. OUTRAGEOUS..

From the LF Forum
By Yara

For the Official Guardians of the Cedars Website Click Here

Posted by 40-Tactical on Tuesday, November 01, 2005 | Permalink