Youths celebrate leader's freedom

Too young to remember the civil war, Christian teenagers in Lebanese Forces t-shirts celebrated the release of former militia leader Samir Geagea yesterday with an impromptu carnival in a Beirut square.

"He is our leader, he represents the principles we follow: preserving our Christianity and protecting Lebanon from foreign interference," said Elie, 18, who would not give his full name.

Geagea, an anti-Syrian Maronite Christian, was the only militia leader jailed for his role in the 1975-1990 civil war. Serving four life sentences, he had spent the last 11 years in a defence ministry cell until parliament granted him an amnesty last week.

"His release means our freedom is restored. We weren't physically in jail like him but we were marginalised ... and now we feel that justice has been done," said Charbel Raeidi, 28.

Geagea's supporters staged a street party in east Beirut's Ashrafieh district after his release. They danced, sang, threw rice and set off fireworks in the main Sassine Square.

Some handed flowers and sweets to passing motorists and soldiers patrolling the area. Many waved Lebanese flags or the emblem of the now-disbanded Lebanese Forces militia.

"What attracted me to Geagea was that he is a man of God, a faithful Christian who preferred to sit in jail than compromise his principles," said Elie, a 24-year-old law graduate.

Many Maronites felt sidelined in the postwar years when Lebanon fell under the sway of Syria and its local allies.

Syria ended its 29-year military presence under pressure following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri in February. Many Lebanese blamed Syria for the killing. Damascus denied any hand in it. Like all former militias, with the exception of anti-Israeli Hezbollah guerrillas, the Lebanese Forces officially disarmed under the Taif Accord that ended the civil war.

Politicians representing the group, including Geagea's wife Strida, won seats in parliament in recent elections.

"The main mistake committed in the past was that Christians were divided. We have to be united as a minority. If we divide, we will become more of a minority and will be sidelined," said Tony, an 18-year-old in Sassine Square.