Deputy Fadi Karam, a member of the "Strong Republic" Bloc, emphasized that "there is a party seeking to receive payment for Resolution 1701 in some form of swap, but the logic of settlements has ended." In a radio interview, he stated: "Today, there are logical steps. When Resolution 1701 is implemented, and the state establishes its authority and stability is achieved, what role will Hezbollah play then? Its issue will be over." He pointed out that "officials in the state today surrender to Hezbollah, international powers do not want a comprehensive war, and the party is trying to benefit from this situation, selling the idea of preventing war to these powers, just as Tehran also does not want war."
He added: "The work of the quintet committee has currently stopped and the dialogue called for by the Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri is merely for show, aimed at suggesting that the solution lies in exchanges." He announced that "we have no problem engaging in dialogue with Hezbollah, but its dialogue is that of the statelet and partition, and this does not work with the Lebanese Forces as we want the state, the constitution, and the law."
He also stressed that "the only breakthrough would be for Hezbollah to abandon its regional project and sit at a purely Lebanese table for partnership. Otherwise, no one knows where we are headed, and we will never adopt its convictions; Hezbollah cannot rule us."
