06 Sep 2021; MEMO: The head of the Lebanese Forces Party, Samir Geagea, yesterday called for "early presidential elections" to be held, saying the results of President Michel Aoun's rule have been "catastrophic" for all people, especially Christians.
"We do not want a president who provokes crises, insults the state, and impoverishes the Lebanese," Geagea said, adding that his party deeply regrets supporting the election of General Michel Aoun as President of the Republic.
Geagea also called on Shia sects in Lebanon to stand in the face of Hezbollah saying: "My Shia brothers in Lebanon, you are a historical and founding part of the Lebanese entity. After being one of the builders of this entity, and defenders of its neutrality, pluralism, and democratic system, would you accept becoming a component in projects supporting dissolution, militarism, dictatorship, and an alternative state?"
Lebanon is facing a severe economic crisis, with the local currency losing nearly all of its value against the dollar. The deep economic meltdown is threatening its stability. The World Bank has called it one of the deepest depressions of modern history.
It has been operating under a caretaker government since August 2020 after the cabinet of Prime Minister Hassan Diab resigned after the massive Beirut port blast.
