Military

DATE=07/26/05

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-326174

TITLE=LEBANON MILITIA (L-O)

BYLINE=EDWARD YERANIAN

DATELINE=BEIRUT

HEADLINE: Lebanese Militia Leader Released, Calls for National Reconciliation

INTRO: The former head of Lebanon's main Christian militia urged national reconciliation on his release from prison after 11 years. Edward Yeranian reports for VOA from Beirut:

TEXT: It was a joyful day for supporters of former Christian Lebanese Forces militia chief Samir Geagea, who spoke with exuberance after being released from prison.

A convoy of Lebanese Army trucks escorted Mr. Geagea to Beirut International Airport, after his official release at Lebanon's defense ministry, where he spent 11 years in solitary confinement.

Lebanon's last week parliament voted to pardon Mr. Geagea who had been incarcerated for alleged crimes committed during the country's 15-year civil war.

Addressing an audience of supporters and Lebanese leaders, Mr. Geagea thanked them for winning his release, then went on to denounce Syria for its behavior during an almost 30-year occupation.

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"My fellow Lebanese: you have been freed from the large prison in which they locked you up - and with that I was freed from the small prison in which they put me."

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Mr. Geagea was referring to the withdrawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, this past April, after weeks of demonstrations, following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al Hariri.

Lebanon's opposition movement accuses Syria of killing Mr. Hariri, although Damascus denies the accusation.

Mr. Geagea, the former Lebanese Forces militia leader, was a staunch critic of Syria before being jailed in 1994. He cited a long list of grievances against Damascus' long occupation:

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"They deliberately exiled Lebanese patriots, arrested, imprisoned, oppressed and tortured, spreading fear among all and drove many Lebanese youth to flee the country."

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He thanked his supporters, as well as top political leaders who voted to free him last week, saying it was they who kept him going during his imprisonment:

/// GEAGEA ACT IN ARABIC, VOICED OVER ///

"I spent 11 years in a small cell, underground, completely isolated from the outside world with no contact with anyone else. But I never felt alone because you were with me."

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Mr. Geagea boarded a flight to Europe where he is to spend several weeks recuperating and vacationing with his wife Settrida. (SIGNED)

NEB/EY/RAE/MAR