Beirut: Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel accused Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri of abusing his powers to serve partisan interests and obstructing legislative progress, warning that Lebanon's political paralysis and Hezbollah's actions are pushing the country toward greater instability.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Gemayel, during an interview on Al-Jadeed, questioned whether Berri is 'acting according to his personal convictions or in his capacity as Speaker,' arguing that the veteran parliament chief 'uses his powers to advance his own political agenda, which is unacceptable.' Gemayel highlighted that the Speaker of Parliament is expected to put the government's draft law on the agenda but has refused to do so. He emphasized that this is not due to any procedural issue but rather a deliberate act to serve his political team's interests.
Gemayel warned that continued delays could jeopardize the upcoming elections, stating that the longer the delays, the fewer people will be registered, leading to a law passing with limited participation. He urged Lebanese expatriates to register to vote as soon as possible, expressing concern over 'low registration turnout due to uncertainty among expats.'
Turning to national security, Gemayel voiced his opinion that Hezbollah's armed strategy has failed to protect Lebanon. He described Hezbollah's concept as a 'catastrophic failure,' bringing destruction and suffering to both its supporters and opponents. Gemayel argued that Lebanon must choose diplomacy over armed confrontation and called for direct negotiations with Israel to stop cross-border violence, asserting that direct talks yield better results than mediated ones.
Gemayel stressed his main concern is 'protecting the people of my country,' aiming to cease the exchange of fire between Lebanon and Israel so that residents of the South can live in peace. He emphasized the importance of international sponsorship to avoid repeating the hardships faced by current generations.
Renewing his criticism of Hezbollah's dominance and its allegiance to Iran, Gemayel accused the group of prioritizing Tehran's regional interests over Lebanon's. He lamented that Hezbollah's refusal to disarm and cooperate with the Lebanese state gives Israel an excuse to continue attacks, warning that the international community did not stop Israel in Gaza.
Gemayel called for a firm national decision to eliminate 'any militia operating outside state authority' and advocated for cooperation with the United States and other willing parties to find a solution for Lebanon. He confirmed his recent visit to Cairo to discuss Egypt's diplomatic initiative aimed at easing tensions between Lebanon and Israel, highlighting Egypt's concern over Lebanon's situation and its role in brokering peace.
Gemayel urged Lebanese leaders to heed international warnings and emphasized the challenges faced by the Lebanese Army due to Hezbollah's secrecy. He concluded by reaffirming Lebanon's leadership duty to protect all citizens, emphasizing that the responsibility extends to every part of Lebanon and every individual residing there.