Sassine Sassine, legal advisor to the leader of the Kataeb Party, condemned a bout of celebratory gunfire that left prominent TV reporter Nada Andraos wounded, calling it a reckless disruption of the peaceful tone that has so far defined the municipal elections across the country.

In an interview on LBCI, Sassine wished Andraos a speedy recovery and used the occasion to stress the need for accountability.

“Random gunfire like this is unacceptable,” he said. “It shattered the calm and seriousness with which these elections were conducted.”

Sassine said the government is doing whatever is required to ensure the constitutional deadlines are met, commending both the Interior Ministry and the President for their active role in overseeing the electoral process.

“We are satisfied with how the elections unfolded in Mount Lebanon,” he said. “Our expectations were met, whether through the election of mayors, the lists we supported, or the mukhtars. We are pleased with the process, especially as we insist on holding all constitutional deadlines on time. Any delay in constitutional deadlines weakens state institutions.”

Turning to results in northern Lebanon, Sassine said the alliance between the Kataeb Party and the Lebanese Forces scored major wins in key areas like Batroun and Tannourine.

In Beirut, where municipal races carry heavier political weight, Sassine said the Kataeb Party joined a broad-based coalition representing most of the capital’s major factions, driven by a shared conviction that power-sharing must be preserved.

“This alliance was necessary to protect parity and to prevent any one group from dominating,” he said. “The Beirut Municipal Council should represent all of Beirut, not just one group.”

He acknowledged that the situation in Beirut remains delicate and that low voter turnout could pose challenges. Still, he expressed hope that voters would back the coalition and support the message of unity it was built on.

“If we want the council to be effective and consensual, this alliance must succeed,” he stressed. "Solutions will have to be explored post-election to ensure cohesion and consensus within the municipal council."

Discussing internal disagreements in Zahle, Sassine revealed that the Lebanese Forces had opted to proceed without full coordination, reserving three seats for Kataeb candidates but otherwise running independently.

“Our team on the ground decided to back another list that includes major figures in the area,” he explained. “It wasn’t a national-level split; it was based on local dynamics.”

Sassine said municipal alliances differ significantly depending on location.

“In villages, it’s mostly familial. In towns, it’s a blend of politics and family ties. In major cities, it’s entirely political,” he noted. “It’s a different game from parliamentary elections.”

He also touched on Lebanon’s fragile regional standing, saying that while signs of a thaw with Gulf Arab states are emerging, some domestic players are actively working to sabotage those efforts.

“Certain parties benefit from keeping Lebanon isolated and using it as a pawn in international negotiations,” he said, pointing to Iran’s broader regional strategy. "This explains the statement recently issued by the Presidency."

According to Sassine, ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program and its support for armed proxies could lead to a turning point in Lebanon.

“If those talks succeed, we may see a retreat of Iran-backed groups in the region. If they fail, the consequences could be severe for Iran. Either way, I think this will be settled before Lebanon’s next parliamentary elections.”

He warned that some factions are operating with a deliberate agenda to maintain Lebanon’s political stagnation by using foreign funding and intelligence to disrupt internal stability and Lebanon’s foreign relations. 

“They’re deliberately holding the country hostage. Meanwhile, the government and presidency are doing everything they can to restore Lebanon’s ties with the international and Arab worlds,” he said.

Looking ahead to the 2026 parliamentary elections, Sassine said the public mood has shifted decisively.

“Most people now realize that illegal arms haven’t protected anyone, including Hezbollah. They did not lead to liberation; on the contrary, they invited occupation. It’s the army and security forces that keep us safe.”

He said any future political alliances must be based on principles that strengthen state institutions and national sovereignty.

“We reaffirm the role of the President in engaging Hezbollah to ensure that all weapons are under state control and that international resolutions, including the ceasefire decision covering all of Lebanon, are implemented.”

On electoral reform, Sassine called on parliament to reconvene and fix what he described as “glaring loopholes” in the current electoral law.

“Expatriate voters overwhelmingly support sovereignty and state institutions. That’s why some want to keep them out. We need a fair law that serves Lebanon, not foreign interests, and returns legislative power to where it belongs: parliament, not business lobbies.”

On the question of possible negotiations with Israel, Sassine said Lebanon is not currently in a position to take a firm stance.

“The state isn’t whole yet. Until all arms are under government control and the ceasefire agreement is fully implemented, Lebanon can't speak with one voice.”

He acknowledged that Hezbollah’s arsenal poses a more complex challenge than Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory. 

“It’s not just about Lebanon; this is about Iran’s regional ambitions. We must wait for the outcome of negotiations. But I believe we’re getting closer to the end of the era of armed proxies.”

When asked to characterize the current political period, Sassine said the country is experiencing a shift in tone.

“We’re witnessing a new dynamic under this presidential term. There’s real momentum toward building a functional state.”

He credited the international and Arab-led quintet — a group of key nations pushing for Lebanese stability — with keeping Lebanon on the global radar.

“The presidency wouldn’t have achieved what it has without this kind of support. That’s why restoring foreign relations is essential.”

On the economic front, Sassine said a potential agreement with the International Monetary Fund offers a path forward, but stressed the need for transparency.

“We need to be honest with the public, especially depositors. Confidence in the banking system must be restored. Lebanese citizens are resilient — if they see real reform, they’ll respond.”