Geagea leaves Beirut base

Beirut (Reuter) - The hardline Christian leader Samir Geagea left his Beirut headquarters during the night, about 18 hours after Lebanese troops and tanks seized the seaside complex, security sources said yesterday.

Troops seized the compound on Saturday as part of a government plan to restore its authority and tighten security before Lebanon's first elections in 20 years next month. The army took over more buildings in eastern and northern Lebanon yesterday.