BEIRUT: Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said over the weekend that Lebanon will begin a process of state building following the collapse of President Bashar Assad’s government, which he predicted would likely happen in 2012.

“Following the fall of the Syrian regime, we will enter a complicated political process before we create another political system that is well defined and capable of building relations between Lebanon and Syria as two [separate] states,” Geagea told a gathering of his party’s general committee in Meerab, according to a statement from his office Sunday.

Geagea, a staunch critic of Assad’s government and Damascus’ relations with Beirut, also said his party would finally accomplish its goals – a reference to the LF’s historic stance against Syrian interference in Lebanon.

The LF leader, along with his allies in the March 14 coalition, have repeatedly voiced support for the nine-month anti government uprising in Syria which, according to U.N. estimates, has resulted in the killing of around 5,000 people, mostly civilians, since mid-March 2011.

Also a critic of Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s Cabinet, Geagea has accused the government of serving foreign interests.

“The year 2012 will witness the fall of the Syrian regime. This will have a significant impact on Lebanon's situation and will result in another balance of power [formula],” Geagea said.

“Presumably, after the fall of the Syrian regime, we should start the process of building a state,” he added.

Geagea also spoke about Lebanese prisoners in Syria and said the fall of Assad would give Lebanon the opportunity to reveal the truth surrounding their fate.

It is not known exactly how many Lebanese nationals are in Syrian prisoners but NGO estimates put the number at around 130.