July 26,2005
Dr Samir Geagea today walked free
from the Yarze Military Prison where he had been
held in solitary confinement for 11 years
3months and 5days.
His release was a key feature of
the achievements of the Cedar Revolution towards
a free and sovereign Lebanon. This popular
uprising against the Syrian occupation commenced
with the callous assassination of the late Rafic
Hariri and was progressed by the withdrawal of
the Syrian Forces and culminated in the first
free elections for the Lebanese Parliament since
the outbreak of the civil war in 1975.
Geagea`s political trials have
become the hallmark of the corrupt regime
installed by Syria, one to which Geagea would
not yield. His defiance cost him his freedom and
the best part of his life robbing him of the
companionship of his wife and his ability to
lead a normal life. His disdain for the regime
was the stuff that legends are made of and his
support swelled to colossal proportions.
The release was historic in that
it was one of the first acts of the newly
elected legislature who voted unanimously to
secure his release along with his co-accused.
Dr.Geagea spoke today of the need
to grasp the opportunity to seize the day and to
ensure that Lebanon does not revert to the
anarchy that marked the civil war. His call to
live in peace for all the peoples of Lebanon is
reminiscent of the call for peace in the Middle
East. He affirmed in his speech that "if
people choose to live [in freedom] then fate
will definitely respond, and it did!"
Once again, freedom and justice
prevailed.
