Geagea says Berri and Qassem free to hold opinions, but not to obstruct talks

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea accused Hezbollah on Thursday of "bringing back" the Israeli occupation of South Lebanon. He said that the group's leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, can take whatever stance he likes but cannot "obstruct" the direct negotiations with Israel.

Geagea added that Speaker Nabih Berri is similarly free to take any stance he wants, provided he does not cause obstruction. "Berri heads neither the executive power in Lebanon nor the deputies. When the results of the negotiations are sent to Parliament, he can offer his opinion as the head of a parliamentary bloc," Geagea said.

Geagea argued that the balance of power is currently not in Lebanon's favor, noting that the country is unable to impose its conditions because it was "dragged into a war beyond its capacity by Hezbollah."