Geagea reiterates prediction of Assad's fall

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea repeated his predictions of the imminent collapse of the embattled government of President Bashar Assad and said security measures taken by Damascus would not be able to modify the trajectory of events. Geagea's comments came in an interview to be published Saturday by Al-Akhbar newspaper. Excerpts of the interview were released by the LF office Friday. In the interview, Geagea also predicted the outcome of the Syria crisis be unlike those of other countries that have witnessed unrest but did not discount that the situation in Lebanon’s neighbor would worsen given the tactics of Syrian authorities. The United Nations estimates over 5,000 Syrians, the majority civilians, have been killed in the crackdown by Damascus in attempt to crush dissent against Assad's rule that erupted in mid-March 2011. Syrian authorities deny targeting civilians, blaming their deaths on “armed gangs” backed by foreign powers. Geagea also predicted the Lebanese political scene would change in favor of the March 14 coalition at the expense of Hezbollah, which heads the March 8 alliance. Geagea said preparations for the commemoration of February 14 was ongoing and confirmed reports that former Prime Minister Saad Hariri would not be able to attend the event due to medical reasons. Hariri was treated in France earlier this month for a fractured leg after a skiing accident. Geagea said the Lebanese opposition had the ability to bring down the government. “The opposition has the ability today to go down to the street and bring down the government [through a popular movement] but we will not do this under the current circumstances.” Commenting on the Cabinet crisi, Geagea reiterated his call for the government to resign and that a team of technocrats step in and tend to the needs of the people. Asked whether Prime Minster Najib Mikati’s Cabinet would last, Geagea said: It might stay but it is as though it isn’t there.” Beirut - The Daily star