19:11 Geagea reads March 14 forces statement following a meeting at Maarab.

• It is an armed coup on the nation, national unity, the constitution, the democratic system and pluralism.
• It is an attempted end on coexistence. Beirut did not fall under Israeli invasion, and it will not fall today.
• The innocent civilians of Beirut have no weapons but their honor and love for their nation.
• Beirut was attacked by weapons sent by Tehran.
• We salute Saad Hariri, son of Rafik Hariri, who they killed thinking they would kill the nation. We salute Walid Jumblatt… son of the martyr Kamal Jumblatt.
• This bloody coup… is aimed at the entire country, which we will not allow to be taken hostage.

  March 14 confirms the following:

  • First, what happened in Beirut and its airport is an armed coup staged by Hezbollah, a coup against… coexistence and international resolutions… to undermine freedom in Lebanon. This coup has stripped Hezbollah’s arms of its label as “resistance,” … for the use of the arms has led to the fall of the arms.
  • Secondly, March 14 expresses its categorical rejection of this logic… for using arms against the Lebanese have never led to any victory in Lebanon …
  • Thirdly, in light of this coup on constitutional legitimacy… the Lebanese army is strongly invited to fulfill the military establishment’s primary responsibility in protecting civilians and private and public property to set an end to … violence.
  • Fourthly, we condemn the targeting of the media and journalists, and the burning of press offices in Beirut as a means to complete this coup.
  • Fifth, we call on the Arab countries to exercise their responsibilities toward Lebanon, for what is happening aims at returning Syria to Lebanon…
  • Sixth, the international community cannot stand by and watch… and must pressure neighboring countries, who pass arms to Lebanon…
  • Seventh, and last of all, the March 14 forces address all Lebanese and confirm their commitment to the principles of the Cedar Revolution, from sovereignty to independence… and promise the Lebanese to continue the path. The use of violence will not save Lebanon… March 14 stands behind the constitutional Lebanese government, headed by PM Fouad Siniora.