LF vows to shoot down mystery drone over Geagea residence

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geagea def 31Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel confirmed on Tuesday reports concerning the sighting of a mystery drone over the residence of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, a veteran Lebanese Christian politician and senior member of the country’s anti-Hezbollah March 14 Alliance.

“The matter is not a joke, it’s serious and  reportedly  and it was seen with naked eye,” Charbel said in comments to Free Lebanon radio.

Geagea, who was the target of an assassination attempt in April 2012, told the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV network last week: “the murder preparations continue, and to my knowledge they will try to kill me, given the enormous implications this will have for the March 14 Alliance, and for Lebanese politics in general.”

“There are spy drones flying over my residence Maarab as part of a policy of intimidation against March 14, but they know they will not lead to anything with me, they will not be able to assassinate me.” He said

Geagea added that he has contacted Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Qahwaji, who was “very cooperative, and confirmed to me that these planes are neither Lebanese nor Israeli”

This was in reference to the Hezbollah drones that the party obtained from Iran.

The Lebanese Army is mulling the possible deployment of anti-aircraft guns to shoot down the drone that has been sighted over Geagea’s residence in Maarab since early january Charbel said Tuesday.

He stressed that the necessary measures should be taken to protect Maarab and those who are targeted in assassination attempts.

“Whatever the source of the unmanned aircraft the army should deal with the matter,” Charbel said.

The LF informed the Army last week that guards at Geagea’s residence sighted what appeared to be a drone. Last month, the LF had said a drone carried out flights over the Maarab complex for a period of two weeks.

A couple of days ago the LF informed the army anew that guards sighted the unmanned aircraft again on Friday and described it as white and resembles a drone, adding that it flew at a law altitude and caused unusual sounds.

LF vows to shoot it down

LF MP Antoine Zahra , said on Tuesday that the drone would not be allowed to fly over Maarab, anymore because it would be shot down by guards protecting Geagea’s residence.

Israel is known for sending drones on reconnaissance to south Lebanon to monitor Hezbollah’s positions in the area, but reports surfaced last November that Hezbollah deployed about 200 drones along the Lebanese Syrian border.

Zahra described the drone incident as “very serious,” saying it was part of preparations to assassinate Geagea after an abortive attempt to kill him by firing at him in Maarab in 2012

“The relevant [security] agencies and the Lebanese state must deal seriously with this issue and tackle it as soon as possible,” Zahra said in an interview with Al-Sharq radio station.

He vowed the drone would be shot down if it flew over Geagea’s residence again:

“The drone will not be able to fly [over Maarab] anymore because it will be shot down with light and medium weapons.”

He added it would be better for the Lebanese security agencies to monitor the drone and shoot it down rather than for guards at Geagea’s residence to do so.

March 14 MP Butros Harb and former Internal Security Forces head Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi have also called on the Lebanese Army to take action against the drone that had hovered over Geagea’s residence.

“The frequent unknown flights over Maarab are undoubtedly a serious issue that could be part of preparations for an attack on Maarab and Dr. Geagea,” Harb told the Free Lebanon radio station.

“Therefore, the state and its security apparatuses, particularly the Lebanese Army, which possesses the equipment that enables it to watch, monitor and prevent any attack, must take the necessary measures to protect Maarab from any possible attack.”

Rifi also urged security agencies to take measures to identify the drone, determine its point of origin and mission, and shoot it down using the appropriate means if it turns out to be an enemy aircraft.

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18 responses to “LF vows to shoot down mystery drone over Geagea residence”

  1. The real lebanese Avatar
    The real lebanese

    Imagine how hard it would be to shoot a drone down with guns. I wonder if the perpetrators (not saying any names) will take the risk though.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      Just get the Gangs Of Tripoli to come and celebrate lovely bullets in their usual style … the air will be so thick with lead that a couple are bound to get it. :-))))
      But we can understand young ‘marksmen’ wishing a go at a little challenge. 😉

      1. Hannibal Avatar

        lol… You are such a phenom 😉

  2. Maborlz Ez-Hari Avatar
    Maborlz Ez-Hari

    Is it just me or is the Lebanese forces an unsuitable name for a political party in a country trying to achieve peace. I think it’s on the same level as hezbollah. While their policies and ideologies seem sensible the party could drop the forces word it’s not very encouraging. And Hezbollah who do they think they are they don’t have a right to assume they can use the name Allah in a political manner. Hmmmm maybe it’s just me but these groups lack basic courtesy to people. Change requires small steps in a new direction maybe more friendly, inclusive, forward thinking political advisors are needed asap.

    1. Hannibal Avatar

      May be you should enlighten us with a new name? Read the history of it first may be it will explain the origin of the name…

      1. Maborlz Ez-Hari Avatar
        Maborlz Ez-Hari

        Does a name need a history lesson? What’s wrong with labour, liberal, independent, republican, greens, future movement, something more people friendly sorry Hannibal, “forces” sounds like a military term not very civilly pleasing, even though if I had to take sides I would lean towards this political party first. Like I said maybe it’s just my lack of knowledge.

        1. Hannibal Avatar

          LFs was a paramilitary organization, a separate entity which evolved during the civil war and outgrew the Kataeb, A7raar, 7eras el-Arz, tanziim, etc… With a lack of identity post Bashir and goals they decided to support the central state and put down their weapons and formed the LF party to keep their historical identity as a fighting force. The Kataeb party tried to absorb them to no avail as they became totally independent. Cards were shuffled and some joined their respective partties others stayed within the newly formed LF party.
          You can be a Lebanese Forces for peace 😉 yeah right…

          1. 5thDrawer Avatar

            May The Force Be With You.

          2. Hannibal Avatar

            and with you my padawan… 😉

  3. Maybe its a seagull? How does zahra propose to shoot it down? Does he have surface to air missiles? Over 4000 illegal overflights by israel since 2006…thats not drones but airforce fighter jets at low altitude…enough to make houses shake and i never heard them condemn it once…now a someone claims a seagull is flying over their house and it makes the pages????

    1. Hannibal Avatar

      Nice tactic to dodge the real problem… Next time around it will be shot down and then we shall see the Iranian flag on it manned by traitors.

      1. man-o-war Avatar

        Shoot it down already! I’m curious what this UFO is.

        1. Yeah I’m curious too … Check this out “A couple of days ago the LF informed the army anew that guards sighted the unmanned aircraft again on Friday and described it as white and resembles a drone, adding that it flew at a law altitude and caused unusual sounds.”

          Well drones don’t make sounds, and you can’t see it clear enough to determine the color. I think Mr Geagea needs cataract eye surgery or just making noise because he’s not getting any attention. Either way there will plenty of celebrations in Mehrab if anything was to happen.

        2. Yeah I’m curious too … Check this out “A couple of days ago the LF informed the army anew that guards sighted the unmanned aircraft again on Friday and described it as white and resembles a drone, adding that it flew at a law altitude and caused unusual sounds.”

          Well drones don’t make sounds, and you can’t see it clear enough to determine the color. I think Mr Geagea needs cataract eye surgery or just making noise because he’s not getting any attention. Either way there will plenty of celebrations in Mehrab if anything was to happen.

  4. Maybe its a seagull? How does zahra propose to shoot it down? Does he have surface to air missiles? Over 4000 illegal overflights by israel since 2006…thats not drones but airforce fighter jets at low altitude…enough to make houses shake and i never heard them condemn it once…now a someone claims a seagull is flying over their house and it makes the pages????

  5. The Menace of Israeli Warplanes

    By Brenda Heard

    As we chase the latest headlines and grow dizzy from the daily crises of the Middle East, sometimes we overlook the persistent problems. Perhaps the element of continuance makes them frustrating, perhaps just boring. But to ignore the drip-drop of Israeli belligerence toward Lebanon is to shrug off the impunity by which it persists.

    In February 2013, I published the article “Birds of Prey: the Record of Impunity for Israeli Military Aircraft,” which provides background to this growing problem. What follows is a statistical update. (original UN reports listed here)

    In the 18-month period of January 2012—June 2013,* there were a total of 1450 air violations. (There are additional land and sea violations, which can be viewed in the same reports here.) That is 1450 separate flights by Israeli warplanes and reconnaissance drones throughout Lebanese territory, including the skies over capital Beirut. They fly in and out, oftentimes over Naqurah, home to UNIFIL(United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). The Israeli warplanes issue their daily threats, yet face at most only a meek and ineffective challenge.

    During this 18-month period, monthly violations have ranged from 46 (November 2012) to 120 (February 2013). That averages to 80.5 air violations per month. Imagine if there were foreign military routinely in the skies of any other nation on earth. Yet there is rarely a mention in the international press. The UN merely stacks up the reports. And the Lebanese simply endure the effrontery.

    On 6 May 2013, UNIFIL “lodged firm protests with the IDF on this matter, asking them to cease the overflights.” Israel’s response? Bright and early the day after UNIFIL’s warning:

    “(0805) An Israeli enemy reconnaissance aircraft violated Lebanese airspace, entering over Alma al-Sha‛b. It circled over the South, Baalbek and Riyaq before leaving at 2325 hours over Rumaysh.” Thirty minutes after the first sortie, “(0835) An Israeli enemy reconnaissance aircraft violated Lebanese airspace, entering over Naqurah. It circled over Juniyah, Beirut, the Shuf and Jubayl, then over Beirut and its suburbs, before leaving at 1405 hours over Naqurah.” (A/67/921–S/2013/409)

    Did the Israeli pilot wave with a smirk as he flew over UNIFIL’s base at Naqurah?

    And so Israel military aircraft have rumbled on through the skies of Lebanon. May 2013, recall, saw 114 illegal overflights—prompting the Lebanese Ambassador to the UN to lodge a formal complaint against Israel “intensifying its incursions over Lebanon” (A/67/883–S/2013/332, dated 5 June 2013). Nonetheless, Israeli air violations totalled 117 in June 2013, and have since continued unabated. Far from conceding authority to the UN body tasked with maintaining the fragile peace, Israeli military has become more egregious in its manoeuvers. Now that is impunity. The question is why such injustice is tolerated.

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar

      Many report with accuracy. And not ALL ignore it.
      Wouldn’t it be ‘nice’ If only wonderful silence remained after those idiots were gone …

  6. The Menace of Israeli Warplanes

    By Brenda Heard

    As we chase the latest headlines and grow dizzy from the daily crises of the Middle East, sometimes we overlook the persistent problems. Perhaps the element of continuance makes them frustrating, perhaps just boring. But to ignore the drip-drop of Israeli belligerence toward Lebanon is to shrug off the impunity by which it persists.

    In February 2013, I published the article “Birds of Prey: the Record of Impunity for Israeli Military Aircraft,” which provides background to this growing problem. What follows is a statistical update. (original UN reports listed here)

    In the 18-month period of January 2012—June 2013,* there were a total of 1450 air violations. (There are additional land and sea violations, which can be viewed in the same reports here.) That is 1450 separate flights by Israeli warplanes and reconnaissance drones throughout Lebanese territory, including the skies over capital Beirut. They fly in and out, oftentimes over Naqurah, home to UNIFIL(United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). The Israeli warplanes issue their daily threats, yet face at most only a meek and ineffective challenge.

    During this 18-month period, monthly violations have ranged from 46 (November 2012) to 120 (February 2013). That averages to 80.5 air violations per month. Imagine if there were foreign military routinely in the skies of any other nation on earth. Yet there is rarely a mention in the international press. The UN merely stacks up the reports. And the Lebanese simply endure the effrontery.

    On 6 May 2013, UNIFIL “lodged firm protests with the IDF on this matter, asking them to cease the overflights.” Israel’s response? Bright and early the day after UNIFIL’s warning:

    “(0805) An Israeli enemy reconnaissance aircraft violated Lebanese airspace, entering over Alma al-Sha‛b. It circled over the South, Baalbek and Riyaq before leaving at 2325 hours over Rumaysh.” Thirty minutes after the first sortie, “(0835) An Israeli enemy reconnaissance aircraft violated Lebanese airspace, entering over Naqurah. It circled over Juniyah, Beirut, the Shuf and Jubayl, then over Beirut and its suburbs, before leaving at 1405 hours over Naqurah.” (A/67/921–S/2013/409)

    Did the Israeli pilot wave with a smirk as he flew over UNIFIL’s base at Naqurah?

    And so Israel military aircraft have rumbled on through the skies of Lebanon. May 2013, recall, saw 114 illegal overflights—prompting the Lebanese Ambassador to the UN to lodge a formal complaint against Israel “intensifying its incursions over Lebanon” (A/67/883–S/2013/332, dated 5 June 2013). Nonetheless, Israeli air violations totalled 117 in June 2013, and have since continued unabated. Far from conceding authority to the UN body tasked with maintaining the fragile peace, Israeli military has become more egregious in its manoeuvers. Now that is impunity. The question is why such injustice is tolerated.

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