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)