Lebanese Forces Party Chief Samir Geagea arrived Saturday in Australia, starting a two-week visit during which he will meet with Australian officials, LF supporters and members of the Lebanese expatriate community.

Accompanied by his wife, Streida, Geagea was warmly welcomed by more than 800 Party members and supporters in the Australian capital, Sydney.

Addressing a gathering crowd of partisans, Geagea deemed that "the presence of President Michel Aoun in Baabda has readjusted internal balance in the country," urging him to "initiate the restoration of the State's decision."

Over the parliamentary elections, Geagea stressed that elections would take place on their scheduled date, hoping that the Lebanese Forces would win a significant parliamentary bloc so that it can achieve its project of building the State.

He urged Lebanese expatriates, in general, and LF partisans, in particular, to register their names at the various Lebanese Consulates in preparation for taking part in the upcoming legislative elections.

"There are fundamental challenges for the Lebanese Forces, foremost of which is the restoration of the national sovereignty decision, as well as building and administering a strong state," added Geagea.

"Lebanon can be a rich country if the waste expenditure ceases in various departments, and we have become closely aware of the volume of waste expenditure through our participation in the government," he went on.

On the possibility of an electoral alliance with al-Mardah Movement, Geagea said "continuous contact exists between officials of both sides and the relationship has become normal, but alliance still has a not-so-short way ahead in light of al-Maradah's different perspective on political matters."

As for the dispute with the Kataeb Party, Geagea explained that "with the Kataeb, we cannot but be on good terms, for it is the closest to us among all Lebanese parties with regards to political proposals, despite our diverse approaches to the current leadership."

Geagea reiterated his refusal to "connect with the Syrian regime and pay double for Hezbollah's policies, once through its participation in the war and again in its quest for normalization with the Syrian regime which is nearing its end

Source: NNA