Beirut: Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel has voiced strong opposition to Hezbollah's continued possession of weapons, asserting that Lebanon will struggle to regain sovereignty and economic stability while armed militias operate beyond state control. Gemayel, speaking at a press conference held at the Kataeb Party headquarters in Saifi, emphasized that disarming Hezbollah is crucial for Lebanon's national recovery.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Gemayel warned that the presence of non-state weapons hinders displaced residents from returning, delays reconstruction, deters investment, and undermines economic recovery. He described Hezbollah's arsenal as the primary barrier to Lebanon's prosperity and stability, urging that disarmament is necessary to restore state authority, enable Israeli withdrawal, and revitalize the economy. He cautioned that without addressing this issue, Lebanon's crises would persist, further deepening the country's financial and social collapse.
Gemayel also addressed the U.S.-Iran negotiations, stating that Iran is using Lebanon as a strategic asset through Hezbollah. He criticized Iran for not defending Lebanon but rather maintaining regional influence through armed proxies, highlighting the disproportionate burden Lebanon has borne compared to Iran in terms of casualties. Gemayel questioned Lebanon's involvement in regional confrontations that do not align with its national interest and called for political restraint and respect for the victims of conflict.
Moreover, Gemayel affirmed support for Lebanon's official institutions in international representation and diplomatic efforts to secure Israeli withdrawal and limit weapons to state authorities. He stressed the importance of the Lebanese army in asserting state authority and expressed that coexistence with Hezbollah under current circumstances is untenable.
Lebanese citizens desire peace, dignity, and stability, according to Gemayel, who emphasized that Lebanon must not revert to cycles of conflict. He dismissed fears of renewed Syrian military intervention and declared that the Lebanese people refuse to remain hostages to the current situation, seeking a peaceful and prosperous future.