Lebanese Kataeb Party leader, MP Samy Gemayel, addressed the pressing political and security challenges facing Lebanon, emphasizing the urgent need to restore the State's sovereignty to ensure stability and peace.

“The key to saving Lebanon lies in restoring state sovereignty and asserting state authority across all Lebanese territories. Only by doing so can we eliminate the threat of instability, which has gripped the country. Lebanon never sought war, nor did it deserve the disastrous consequences it now faces," Gemayel said in an interview with MTV.

Gemayel recalled the warnings issued by the Kataeb Party for two decades regarding Hezbollah’s role in jeopardizing Lebanon’s future.

“For 20 years, we warned that Hezbollah would bring calamity to Lebanon, urging it to act before the situation escalated,” he affirmed.

He outlined two possible paths for Hezbollah: the first, is for Hezbollah to acknowledge that the era of armed groups is over, cease being an extension of Iran, and stop deceiving the international community. The second option, a Lebanese-Lebanese agreement, calls for Hezbollah to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese Army.

“If Hezbollah continues its destructive path, the result will be catastrophic,” Gemayel warned. “Either Hezbollah will cooperate with the Lebanese Army and disarm, or it will face either Israel or the Lebanese Army. The choice is theirs.”

Gemayel further expressed his concern that Hezbollah’s continued resistance to disarmament would lead to either internal conflict or a confrontation with Israel, as he asserted that the current ceasefire agreement will not hold. “If Hezbollah continues to outsmart others, the situation will explode either internally or with Israel. The durability of the ceasefire depends on the intentions of Hezbollah and Iran.”

The Kataeb leader declared that the so-called "triangle" of Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran has ended, and there is no return to the status quo before October 9th.

He stressed that Lebanon faces two potential outcomes: a disastrous return to conflict or a positive rebuilding process on an inclusive foundation that can restore hope to the country.

"Rebuilding Lebanon is possible, but only if we embrace the state option," Gemayel emphasized.

Rejecting the logic of submission and outside influence, Gemayel criticized Hezbollah’s MPs for hiding in the parliament behind the legitimacy it represents.

"Legitimacy is the only shield that has protected them," he remarked.

He reiterated that Lebanon can no longer accept living under the shadow of Hezbollah’s weapons or any other militia.

"The time has come to stop patching up the situation," he said, noting that such temporary fixes only postpone the inevitable confrontation.

Addressing the need for comprehensive national dialogue, Gemayel stressed that Lebanon’s future cannot be determined through patchwork solutions, especially regarding the presidential elections.

“A quick fix will only create more problems. The presidency must be part of a broader process,” he explained, calling for a parliamentary session over the next two to three months to elect a president and engage in honest dialogue.

This, he emphasized, must include a discussion of Lebanon’s system and the unimplemented provisions of the Taif Agreement, which, if enacted, could reassure all Lebanese and lay the foundation for a country capable of enduring for generations.

Gemayel expressed concern about the lack of a genuine intention to rebuild Lebanon, observing that most presidential candidates appear to be focused only on getting through the current phase, rather than on true reconstruction.

"I don't feel there is a decision to build the country," he noted. "The key to rebuilding Lebanon is not the name of the president, but the process of rebuilding the country."

He added that by providing stability, Lebanon could attract investments and bring back its expatriates. However, he emphasized that rebuilding the country requires a state free from the logic of weapons and intimidation. “The moment Hezbollah went to Syria, it ceased to be a "Resistance Axis". Resistance defends borders, not crosses them. Hezbollah became a tool for Iran’s interests, sacrificing Lebanon’s future in the process.”

Gemayel’s vision for Lebanon includes a president who believes in the exclusivity of weapons under state control and who is committed to deep confrontation and reconciliation.

“We need a president who will stand firm on the issue of weapons, who supports the roadmap I proposed at the National Conference, and who is capable of leading a national reconstruction effort that builds Lebanon’s future,” he asserted.

On the issue of the state’s rebuilding, Gemayel underscored that the country cannot be reconstructed while hatred and the remnants of war persist.

"Patching up the current situation would only lead to more problems. We must confront the issues head-on and ensure that the next step in Lebanon’s journey is meaningful and constructive," he said.

Gemayel also warned against returning to old patterns of compromise and settlement that only lead to new crises.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to the presidential elections,” he warned. “This is a pivotal moment in Lebanon's history, and solutions must be sought through dialogue, despite differences. We cannot afford temporary solutions, as they will only hasten the country's demise."

Gemayel reaffirmed the Kataeb Party’s commitment to protecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and securing the country for all its people.

"Every Lebanese is our responsibility," he said. "We are not focused on sectarian identity; we want to protect all our people. We envision a Lebanon that is free from threats, and where all groups feel secure. This is the Lebanon we want; one that is reconciled with itself and with each other."

He concluded, "Without a true state, Lebanon will not receive any aid. The United States and Arab countries have supported Lebanon in the past, but the question remains: will they help again if Lebanon does not restore its state?"

The restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty, he emphasized, is not just a political necessity but also the key to its future survival.