Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel on Thursday called on all Lebanese political factions to rally behind President Joseph Aoun’s negotiation efforts, highlighting the need to close the southern front, assert State sovereignty, and break the cycle of conflict and instability in the country.

Speaking after a meeting with Aoun at Baabda Palace, Gemayel said Lebanon must move beyond what he described as “a state of war, instability, bloodshed, destruction, and repeated conflicts” and open a new chapter of stability, economic growth, and investment under the protection of the state. He stressed that achieving these goals requires decisive action to ensure the Lebanese army remains the sole holder of weapons, and that all communities, particularly the Shiite community, take responsibility, without allowing Hezbollah to hold the country hostage.

“The State must be firm in enforcing its sovereignty, and everyone within the Shiite community must be allowed to speak their word,” Gemayel said. “We can’t restore Lebanon’s economy and rebuild deposits without stability and closing the southern front; that can only happen through negotiations.”

“Do we want to stay trapped in endless cycles of conflict, instability, bloodshed, and destruction? We need to close the chapter on pain and open a new one for a Lebanon defined by stability and prosperity; attracting investment, reviving the economy, expanding its growth, and restoring deposits. None of this will happen without stability, and that starts with closing the southern front through negotiations,” he added.

Gemayel emphasized the importance of supporting the president’s initiative and standing united as a country to end the state of war.

“War means an economy of war: no stability, no investment, no salaries,” he said.

He praised Aoun’s decision to appoint former Ambassador Simon Karam to lead Lebanon’s delegation to the ceasefire monitoring body, calling the move courageous and necessary to restart negotiations. He also acknowledged the work of former ambassador Antoine Fattal under former President Amine Gemayel, who had led similar talks in the past but could not bring them to fruition due to circumstances.

“What was needed was a president with courage; someone who moves quickly to consolidate weapons and begin negotiations. The president’s step is significant, and he consulted as many stakeholders as possible, which is only natural. He doesn’t make decisions unilaterally. His initiative is positive, his task is challenging, the hurdles are significant, but his intentions are right, and his goals are our goals,” Gemayel said.

He urged all political actors not to obstruct the president’s efforts.

“We must support President Aoun and encourage him. The task is difficult, but the most important thing is not to put obstacles in his path,” he said.

On parliamentary elections, Gemayel criticized Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for blocking amendments to the electoral law by refusing to place the bill on the legislative agenda.

“Parliament will do its duty if it’s allowed to. If we’re not invited to a session, how can we do our work? If the election bill isn’t put on the agenda, how can we act?” he asked. He warned that this obstruction could force the government either to violate the law or delay elections, particularly for six seats representing Lebanese living abroad. “What’s happening is a disgrace to the legislative process in this country,” he added.

Turning to Pope Leo XIV’s recent visit to Lebanon, Gemayel congratulated Aoun on the highly successful trip, which he said gave hope to the Lebanese people and renewed optimism for the nation’s future.

“We thank Pope Leo XIV for this visit — the first of his papacy — which highlights Lebanon’s importance despite its small size,” Gemayel said.