Samir Geagea

Samir Geagea (born 25 October 1952) is a Lebanese politician. The leader of the Lebanese Forces Party, he was released from 11 years in solitary confinement on 26 July 2005. Geagea was however given a pardon and not declared innocent. He still plays a major role on the Christian political scene in Lebanon today. Quotes Lebanon is our country, and in it we are staying (as a minority christians). March 1989, addressing crowds in ain el remeneh. I would prefer to remain in prison for another 20 years than bargain my beliefs for freedom. November 2004, speaking to a delegation from the Human Rights Committee of the Lebanese Parliament, quoted in "Samir Geagea will be out of Jail this weekend" in Ya Libnan (18 July 2005) You have come out of the big prison which you had been put in and you have taken me out with the same act from the small prison which I had been put in. Upon being released from Yarze prison, as quoted in an Associated Press report "Ex-Christian Warlord Released in Lebanon" by Zeina Karam (26 July 2005) Variant translation: Now that you (Lebanese people) have come out of the great prison to which you were confined, you have released me from the small prison in which I was put. Full text of speech made on his release from prison (26 July 2005) I have spent 11 horrific years in solitary confinement in a 6-square-meter dungeon three floors underground without sunlight or fresh air. But I endured my hardships because I was merely living my convictions. On his release from prison, quoted in "Samir, Sitrida Geagea Airborne for Month-Long Recuperation Abroad" at Lebanese Forces.com (26 July 2005) They were long, dark, black years. As quoted in "Lebanese ex-warlord is released" in BBC News (26 July 2005) External links Biographical profile at Lebanese Forces Official site A Canadian report on the abuse against Lebanese Forces members and supporters Category:People from Beirut Category:1952 births Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Lebanon