Lebanese Christian leader released

BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 26 (UPI) -- The leader of the outlawed Christian Lebanese Forces, Samir Geagea, was released from 11 years in prison Tuesday after being granted amnesty.

Geagea, whose group fought the Lebanese civil war on behalf of the Christians, was sentenced to life in prison in 1994 after being convicted of several political assassinations, including that of Prime Minister Rachid Karami in 1988.

Geagea was taken from his prison in the Defense Ministry to Beirut Airport headed for medical exams and rest abroad.

Speaking to officials, politicians and LF members who came to greet him at the airport, Geagea said, "If we want to build a better future for the young generation, we should cooperate together in a new spirit that is totally different from the one that prevailed in the years of war ... The war had its logic which is no longer relevant nowadays."

Geagea saluted his wartime enemies, Druze leader Walid Jumblat and Christian rival Michel Aoun, as well as post-war leaders such as Saad Hariri, the son of slain former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, who backed the law granting him amnesty.

"I came out from my small prison and the Lebanese people from a big prison," Geagea said in reference to the withdrawal of Syrian forces and intelligence agents from Lebanon last April after nearly 30 years in the country.