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 Strong
and irresistible, Samir Geagea can be compared to the majestic cedars
of Lebanon that have characterized the Lebanese Mountains since
Biblical times. These trees, arguably the most beautiful in the world,
growing for thousands of years on the pinnacles of his hometown
Besharri, are not dissimilar to his robust physique and principles.
Brought up in a modest family, Samir
Geagea was born on the 25th October 1952. The son of a sergeant in the
Lebanese Army, Samir Geagea began to concern himself with his
country's problems when the war broke out in 1975, cutting short his
studies in medicine, which he started in 1972. His perseverance and
unwavering belief and faith in his country have placed him in an
integral position on the political chessboard.
Samir Geagea was one of the first
members of the Resistance to defend the sovereignty and independence
of Lebanon from ridicule and corruption. It is against this backdrop
that he forged his path, initially within the Christian Resistance,
and then on a national scale. Just as straight and haughty as the
great Cedars of Lebanon against storms and attacks of the elements, he
too resisted the obstacles of those that tried to derail and humiliate
him. Samir Geagea, a true stalwart, maintained the true vision, the
right vision for his country.
The assassination of their founding
member, Bashir Gemayel, considerably weakened the Lebanese Forces.
Consequently, the Lebanese Forces were under considerable pressure
from hostile rogue elements from within Lebanon and externally. On the
12th March 1985, Samir Geagea embraced the challenge to save the honor
and indeed the very existence of the Lebanese Forces. As the
legitimate successor to Bashir, he assured the continuation of the
Resistance and supervised the preservation of the legacy they fought
so hard to defend. On the 15th January 1986, Samir Geagea put the
tri-party treaty, signed under the aegis of Damascus, in check, and on
the 31st January 1990, he succeeded in combating an attempt to
liquidate the Lebanese Forces.
This man, the imposing stature, with
black piercing eyes, bare forehead and moustache that crosses a
constantly smiling face, has a faith that can move mountains. Able and
determined, preferring occasionally to compromise to avoid the worst
and achieve a positive result, Samir Geagea has never confused
strategy with tactics. Before all political steps, he analyses local,
regional and international factors with perspicacity and intelligence.
He consults and works with others. Calm and serene, especially in
moments of crisis and tensions, he is at the same time Cartesian and
pragmatic. He reacts as an intellectual and thinks as a man of action.
He hardly forgets the past but never takes refuge in it. He knows how
to apply the past to present situations in such a way as to achieve a
better future. His appreciation of silence stems from his belief that
"silence is an element at the heart of all that is great". He loves
and knows how to listen, he never ceases to repeat the proverb: "it is
in listening and not through speaking that we learn".
Samir Geagea, known by those close to
him as the "Hakim", is a fierce enemy of political feudalism,
autocracy and suppression of the people. A democrat through to the
core, he is enamored with liberty and justice. An adversary to fixed
ideas, prejudices and politics that are opposed to progress; he has
the gift of pricking sleeping consciences. Neither revolutionary nor
anti-revolutionary, Samir Geagea strives to set Lebanese society back
on track for the next century. He fights for the freedom of all,
regardless of the many differences. In a composite society, the right
to be different is for him, an essential element of democracy. He
often repeats that, "power in Lebanon should come from addition and
not subtraction". He campaigns to end the practice of individualistic,
deranged politics whose only goal is to evade problems and assure
maximum economic profits for a well determined class. Patriotic, Samir
Geagea is a man of courage, lucidity and peace. He is and remains, a
man of the future.
All the legal files and proceedings
brought against him and the Lebanese Forces are without foundation.
Samir Geagea is today, the only political prisoner in Lebanon. His
crime is that of exercising his democratic rights.
No matter what they say, no matter what
they do, we will never lose hope, we will never bow, nor will we ever
give up the cause. We will always be faithful to the one man who
showed everyone the meaning of courage, honor and loyalty, to our
great leader who did not abandon us, who stood by us shoulder to
shoulder. To the person who has become the cause, to you Dr. Geagea we
promise to always be strong and never lose faith no matter how hard
things get, because in the end the righteous will prevail, and we are
the righteous ones. We have sacrificed our blood for the freedom of
our country and our people. We gave our country our best and that is
why we will prevail. Dr. Geagea we are proud of you and we are proud
to have you as our leader.
Samir Geagea, current leader of the
Lebanese Forces. The only person in the history of my country who was
given a choice to either leave Lebanon and never come back or to go to
prison. Samir Geagea chose to go to prison. Why? Because Samir Geagea
fought for something he believed very dearly in. Samir Geagea bled for
his country. Samir Geagea was not ready to dishonor all the martyrs
that died for our cause. He was not ready to dishonor their memories.
For they did not die in vain. Samir Geagea said clearly we did not
bleed for 20 years so in the end we are asked to leave and never come
back. Samir Geagea has become the symbol of heroism, the symbol of
courage and honor. Samir Geagea has proven that the cause comes first,
he has sent a clear message for all of us and that message is Lebanon
is worth the sacrifice and all our martyrs don't expect less. They
thought that by striking the shepherd, the sheep would be lost. We
were lost, we did lose faith, we did despair but his resistance from
his cell revived us. His continuous struggle from within his prison
gave us hope, strength and guidance. They imprisoned him in the hope
that we would be finished. Yet we remain. They took him in the hope of
scaring us. Yet we don't allow any occasion to pass without clearly
sending them a message that we are still here. They took him in the
hope that they could alter history and falsify facts. But they were
impotent. They thought they could accuse him and everyone would
believe their lies. They thought wrong and here is the world
condemning them, The Australian courts condemned them for fabricating
evidence; the United Nations Human Rights Committees condemned them;
and all those people who value the rule of law condemned them.
Samir Geagea is an example of a man who
is unselfishly devoted to a significant cause. He is a true model for
all who believe in a just and reconciled Lebanon.
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