Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel warned Wednesday that Lebanon stands at a critical crossroads, urging decisive action to avert another devastating war and calling for the state to reassert its authority by disarming Hezbollah.

In an interview on Al-Mashhad, Gemayel said the recent Cabinet decision tasking the Lebanese Army with drafting a disarmament plan marked a historic shift, but cautioned that implementation remains the real test.

“The government’s decision to assign the army with preparing a plan to control weapons is a pivotal moment in rebuilding the state and restoring Lebanese sovereignty,” he said. “This is about ending 15 years of Iranian and Hezbollah dominance over Lebanon’s decision-making.”

He said the move is part of a broader national transformation that began with the election of a new president, the formation of a government, and the launch of long-delayed reforms.

Gemayel described Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting as “important and unprecedented,” noting that just two years ago, “we couldn’t imagine the Lebanese government placing arms control on its agenda, let alone adopting a decision on it.”

“What matters now is execution,” he added. “Thursday’s session will delve into further details and commitments. But just placing this item on the agenda, approving it, and assigning the army to draft the plan is a major and historic first step.”

He stressed that the move should not be framed as a political victory or defeat.

“We’re not interested in settling scores or claiming triumph over anyone,” he said. “Our goal is to build a state for all Lebanese.”

Gemayel blamed Hezbollah’s miscalculations for dragging Lebanon into a war it did not want, exposing the group’s inability to defend the country and triggering Israeli military intervention.

“This war killed Hezbollah’s leadership, devastated villages in the south, and left many Lebanese, especially Shiites, dead,” he said. “This ideology of armed resistance and regional allegiance brought occupation, destruction, and death. Hezbollah must take lessons from what happened.”

He praised President Joseph Aoun for acting with restraint and wisdom in dealing with Hezbollah, noting that the president had “spent much of his own political capital trying to convince the party to accept this decision and to be part of putting the state back on track.”

“But the president cannot wait forever,” Gemayel warned.

Asked whether a Hezbollah delegation might visit the Kataeb headquarters in Saifi, Gemayel was clear: “As long as Hezbollah’s position hasn’t changed, I don’t see them coming to Kataeb’s offices.”

“When Hezbollah accepts the principle of a Lebanese state, abides by its laws, surrenders its arms, and joins the effort to build national institutions, only then can we move toward a framework of truth and reconciliation, not just bilateral visits.”

He emphasized that the Kataeb Party’s problem is not with the Shiite community.

“A significant portion of the Shiite population supports Hezbollah, others support Amal, and many are independent. We must reassure the entire community that the issue was never with them. It’s with an armed group pursuing a foreign agenda and dragging Lebanon into disaster.”

“We don't want our opposition to Hezbollah to appear as a sectarian battle. On the contrary, we want the Shiite community to be a partner in rebuilding Lebanon.”

Commenting on Hezbollah’s visit to the Free Patriotic Movement’s headquarters, Gemayel said it was a meeting between longstanding allies.

“MP Gebran Bassil and former President Michel Aoun have defended Hezbollah’s actions since 2006 — from wars, to occupying Beirut on May 7, to paralyzing Cabinet sessions,” he said. “The FPM’s recent change in rhetoric is born of necessity. They know the old narrative is no longer acceptable.”

While welcoming the shift, Gemayel questioned its authenticity.

“This change in tone doesn’t erase two decades of alignment. We hope it’s genuine and that they’re moving toward the position we’ve held consistently for 60 years.”

Gemayel defended Kataeb’s participation in the current government, calling it the first in years to be formed without Hezbollah’s control. He praised the ministers’ qualifications and said the party was proud to head the Justice Ministry.

“This government has enacted long-overdue reforms and finally delivered judicial independence; something we’ve waited a decade for,” he said.

He added that reviving the Beirut port blast investigation was a top priority when Kataeb accepted the Justice Ministry portfolio.

“Justice Minister Adel Nassar was able, in a short time, to relaunch Judge Tarek Bitar’s investigation. We expect the indictment to be issued in the coming weeks.”

Gemayel underscored that the Justice Minister’s role is to support the judiciary, not interfere with it.

True accountability, Gemayel said, is impossible while an armed group operates outside the legal framework.

“As long as a militia acts above the law, the entire concept of justice collapses,” he said. “Once we resolve the weapons issue, we can re-establish the rule of law.”

“Everything we’re doing is aimed at avoiding another war. But the regional landscape is shifting: borders are being redrawn, and old dynamics are collapsing. We must decide: do we preserve Lebanon, or do we destroy it?”

“We can either become a functioning state, sovereign over our territory and institutions, or follow the paths of Syria — fragmented and weak — or Gaza, where the people face annihilation.”

Gemayel warned that another conflict could erupt if Hezbollah refuses to comply.

“All signs point to a looming confrontation,” he said. “Hezbollah may want a showdown with the army, but can its fighters even leave their homes?”

“If I were in their place, I’d come to the table, turn the page, and embrace reconciliation with the rest of the Lebanese. That’s the only way forward.”

Gemayel said the United States is ready to help protect Lebanon, if Lebanese authorities do their part.

“The Tom Barrack proposal includes all of Lebanon’s demands — even Hezbollah’s — from Israeli withdrawal to prisoner releases and sovereignty guarantees,” he said. “This document will be discussed Thursday. It shows the Americans are ready to grant us our rights, but expect us to act on responsibilities we’ve neglected for 30 years.”

“This isn’t about pleasing anyone. It’s about doing what’s right for our people, our country, and our children’s future. The American paper provides guarantees and protection for Lebanon.”

Asked whether Lebanon might fall again under Syrian influence, Gemayel replied: “If the Lebanese don’t want that, no one can impose it. The Sunni community must stop looking outward. Our Prime Minister is doing an excellent job, and he’s Sunni. Our allies in Parliament all put Lebanon first.”

He rejected the idea of relying on a single strongman leader.

“Why are we always searching for one supreme leader? Let’s instead foster a political system with multiple forces working together in the national interest.”

Gemayel urged the people of Tripoli to reaffirm their Lebanese identity.

“That doesn’t mean being hostile to Syria. We want balanced, state-to-state relations. Friendship, not guardianship.”

Gemayel said he had raised the issue of convicted assassin Habib Shartouni with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam before his visit to Syria.

“I handed him the files on Shartouni, Boutros Khond, and other cases. He brought them up with Syrian officials, and when he returned, he briefed me. Syria expressed willingness to help us arrest Shartouni, and follow-up continues through official channels.”

Asked if he supports peace with Israel, Gemayel responded: “Should we remain in a state of eternal war? Every war has an end, even World War II. Former enemies now work together.”

He said the Lebanese state should pursue negotiations with Israel to secure southern border stability and resolve all pending issues, whether by reviving the armistice or signing a peace agreement.

“My priority is border stability — north and south — to attract investment. As long as there’s hostility on the southern border, Lebanon will remain a hub of instability.”

Asked whether he has presidential ambitions, Gemayel said: “I’ve been fighting for Lebanese sovereignty since I was 16 — in the streets, opposing Syrian control and Hezbollah’s grip. I still have the spirit of a fighter, not a politician.”

“If Lebanon needs people of integrity, competence, and transparency, we’re here. But for now, we fully support President Joseph Aoun. When his term ends, we’ll talk.”