BEIRUT: Future Movement MP Atef Majdalani said Thursday that those in opposition to the March 14 coalition lie behind the assassination attempt against Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea.

During a visit by March 14 figures to Maarab, Geagea’s residence in the Kesrouan area, Majdalani said that behind this “criminal act is every person against March 14 forces, against Lebanon's freedom, dignity and democracy and against pluralism and openness.”

In a news conference Wednesday, Geagea spoke about an assassination attempt on his life earlier in the day when shots were fired at his residence, raising fears of a possible resumption of the series of assassinations that began in late 2004.

The LF leader added that the incident, which took place before noon, indicated the perpetrators' expertise, claiming the shots had been fired at least one kilometer from the target site.

Majdalani, who described the attempt as a cowardly criminal act, also said the aim of those who carried out the attack was to sow discord in the country.

“They tried to ignite strife in Lebanon [but] God saved this country from strife which could have led us into the unknown,” he said.

The attack, according to the Future Movement MP, was aimed at serving a blow to the openness that the Lebanese Forces and the March 14 collation have exhibited toward the uprisings in the Arab world.

For his part, Kataeb MP Nadim Gemayel, who was among the delegation, said: “We know for certain that the party which failed in this attempt, and God willing will continue to fail, is supported by foreign forces and local bodies and we will do the impossible to ensure that this side does not remain armed in Lebanon.”

Gemayel, however, did not name the party he indicated.

The delegation also included Future Movement MPs Serge Torsarkisian and Riyad Rahal.

The LF has said security at the facility responded immediately after the shots were fired at 11:33 a.m. and located the site where the shots had originated. Bullet casings were discovered, which Geagea said indicated a range of between 12.7 and 14.5 caliber rounds.