BEIRUT, Lebanon - Leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF) political party Samir Geagea on Sunday, expressed his apology to the Lebanese people for unjustified wounds inflicted during the civil war and criticized the Hezbollah-led March 8 alliance for blocking state rise.

Attending a local ceremony held by the LF party on the occasion of the annual memory of its dead in the northern city of Jounieh, Geagea said that the party had "made mistakes at times, and that some of the party's members carried out violations," adding that "we ask for forgiveness from those who have been harmed."

He also called for the unity of Christians in Lebanon in relation to their common history in the country.

He announced support of the 14th of March coalition and the Cedar Revolution, pondering on the little common denominators his party had with the Christian factions in the 8th of March coalition who back Hezbollah's taking charge of Lebanese military issues.

The event was attended by several senior officials, including Finance Minister Mohammad Shatah, representing  Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, and former President Amin Gemayel. It was also attended by by numerous politicians including Nadim Gemayel, the son of assassinated President Bashir Gemayel, MP Marwan Hamadeh and MP Akram Chayeb.

Speaking before tens of thousands of his supporters who gathered  in Fouad Chehab Stadium in Jounieh, north of Beirut, for a memorial ceremony for LF members killed during political violence in Jounieh, Geagea accused his political rivals of "exploiting past mistakes" that were committed by the LF.

Geagea began his address saying, “Martyrdom does not hurt the martyrs and their families, but what hurts are the attempts to deny or exploit their martyrdom for personal interest.” He added that the LF was proud of its martyrs, and would not surrender to misleading information and unfair accusations.

“A lie can kill a person but it cannot kill the truth, and our truth will remain,” he said, adding that the LF’s “martyrs” are actually those of all Lebanon.

“We had to defend the country’s sovereignty, freedom and public safety, because no one was there,” he said, adding that those who died had been described by some parties as criminals and thieves.

Geagea said the LF was the first party that responded to the call for peace.

“If we resisted they call us criminals, and if we forged peace they call us colluders,” he said, before he called for the “victory” of the truth against lies and misleading information.

“I fully apologize for any mistakes we committed when we carried out our national duties during the war,” Geagea said, adding that he asked for forgiveness from God and for those they had hurt.

“I call upon those who are exploiting our mistakes to stop, because only God can judge us,” he added.

“I know that the people of Lebanon are looking forward to unity and reconciliation. We aim to unite but over what?” he asked. “United over Hezbollah’s weapons, at the expense of the Lebanese state, until the Liberation of Palestine and the resolution of the Middle East peace process?”

“Over calling for an investigation into the Army Command sending a helicopter into a Hezbollah region? Over bringing Syrian authority back into Lebanon? Over fighting American imperialism in the Middle East and the world, until victory? Over the practice of camping in Beirut in order to bring about change and reform?” Geagea asked.

“Are the Christians of the March 8 alliance ready to unite, or did they replace the slogan of “Lebanon is always right” with “Hezbollah and Syria are always right?” he continued, asking if there could be anything more divisive among the Christian community than attacking Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir.

“The parliamentary elections will be a turning point that will define Lebanon’s destiny,” said Geagea.

“I call on the Christians who are against the Lebanese Forces, and especially against me, to think about Lebanon’s interests and to overcome all personal interests, because we can only save Lebanon with unity among the people and among Christians in particular,” he added.

He said that the March 14 alliance and the Cedar Revolution represented Lebanon’s true resistance, adding that they would take steps to liberate all of Lebanon’s occupied territories, including Shebaa Farms and Kfar Shouba Hills. Geagea said he wanted the state to be powerful and for all weapons to be restricted to legitimate military institutions.

Geagea called for the Special Tribunal into the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri to proceed, for judicial reforms and economic development.

He added that combating Israel required an agreement between all Arab countries in order to establish a successful defense strategy.

“The Palestinian cause is not one party’s cause, but it concerns all Arabs” he said.

Geagea added that the Lebanese defense strategy was almost defined by the Doha Agreement and the ministerial statement.

“Some parties insist on keeping their weapons because they claim that the state was still not powerful and capable. We believe that as long as there are weapons in the hands of a Lebanese party, there will be not powerful state,” he said.

“We are going through a new phase with President Michel Sleiman, and we should abandon all personal interest and support the state authorities,” he added.

“I will not forget to mention our most significant martyr, Sheikh Bachir Gemayel, and all the martyrs. I promise you that we will complete, through peace and politics, what you started during the war and the resistance,” he concluded.

Excerpts from Geagea's speech

- Martyrdom does not hurt the martyr and his family, but what hurts are the attempts made at exploiting or obstructing their martyrdom.

- We were the first party that responded to the call for accomplishing peace.

- If we resisted they call us criminals, and if we forged peace they call us colluders.

- I call for the victory of the truth against any lies and misleading information .

- A lie can kill a person but it cannot kill the truth .

- We committed mistakes sometimes, but other parties also committed tough mistakes.

- I fully apologize for any mistakes we committed when we carried out our duties during the Lebanese war.

- I ask for forgiveness from God and from those we hurt.

- I call upon those who are exploiting our mistakes to stop, because only God can judge us.

- I know that the people of Lebanon are looking forward to unity and reconciliation.

- We aim to unite but over what?

- Over Hezbollah’s weapons, at the expense of the Lebanese state, until the Liberation of Palestine and the resolution of the Middle East peace process, or until the investigation with the Army Command regarding sending the helicopter to a Hezbollah location?

- Do you want us to unite over bringing Syrian authority back into Lebanon?

- Do you want us to unite over the practice of camping in Beirut as a means to change and reform?

- Where are the Christians of the March 8 alliance? Are they ready to unite?

- Did they replace the slogan of “Lebanon is always right” with “Hezbollah and Syria are always right?”

- Is there any greater attempt at creating division among the people than attacking the Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir?

- The parliamentary elections will be a turning point that will define Lebanon’s destiny.

- I call on the Christians who are against the Lebanese Forces to think about Lebanon’s interests and to overcome all personal interests because we can save Lebanon with unity among the people and Christians in particular.