Lebanese Forces Party leader, MP Sami Gemayel, emphasized that they are engaged in a significant battle related to the continuous struggle of the "Kataeb" against occupations. He stated, "Anyone who believes they can force us to live in Lebanon with our heads down is mistaken. After all the sacrifices we have made for Lebanon and its freedom, we will not continue to live in this current humiliation while our people suffer and emigrate, practicing politics in a traditional manner. Anyone who thinks that does not know the Kataeb. We are on guard, and we will not accept living as dhimmis or second-class citizens in Lebanon. This will not happen, and those who want us to live in humiliation should anticipate confrontation by all available means."
During a ceremony honoring party commissioners in northern Metn at the "Meeting" hall in Rabweh, Gemayel remarked, "There are those who currently try to make all decisions for us and act as if we are dhimmis. This is exactly what is happening today; some believe that it is their right to possess militias and fight alone while wanting to choose the president without consulting anyone, deciding the government’s shape and Lebanon’s alliances against everyone’s will, and waging wars with others without including anyone in the decision.”
He added: "What we demand is to be included in the decision-making, to ensure equality and respect for partnership in Lebanon. We do not seek to infringe on anyone's rights, nor do we want anyone to infringe on ours, nor do we accept anyone to seize the freedom, decision, or resistance of another. We uphold our country and land, open our hands to build a democratic, civilized, free, sovereign, and independent state, and we invite everyone to join this state project."
The head of the Kataeb demanded that the Lebanese Army be the "only body that possesses weapons in Lebanon," asserting that Lebanon should have the essential components for any state in the world under the constitution, which is not open to discussion. "We extend our hands to everyone based on respect for the constitution, and every step in this direction will be met with three from our side," he stated.
He said, "I come to bear witness that were it not for your sacrifices, Lebanon would not exist, and without your contributions, neither freedom nor democracy would remain. I had the honor of meeting the leaders and Kataeb fighters across the entire 10,452 square kilometers, and they are to be credited for our survival," expressing pride in belonging to the Kataeb institution, which represents "the large family that the great Pierre Gemayel established," and in working in a clean, resistant party that does not compromise, sacrificing its dearest belongings, contributing over 5,500 martyrs, a president, ministers, deputies, and leaders who prioritized the country’s interest over their own and did not retreat under the toughest circumstances. Thus, the party looks proudly at its past and its resistance always against the foreigner, avoiding internal score-settling.
Gemayel noted that "the party has lived through various periods of Lebanon's history since 1936, witnessing occupations, oppressions, and the exiling and arrest of its leaders, yet it has steadfastly continued for 86 years at the forefront of political life because the spirit of resistance instilled in it by Pierre Gemayel remains alive, driving us daily to review our options for Lebanon’s benefit; hence, we do not compromise and do not err," reaffirming that "the sacrifices made are the daily motivators for every decision and stance taken."
Regional head of Metn, Roger Abi Rached, remarked that the honoring comes at a critical political moment for the country, reminiscent of your struggle and sacrifices when you prevented the road to Jerusalem from passing through Jounieh. Today, the leadership is fighting to prevent the route to Baabda from passing through the southern suburb, and the party leader is at the forefront of this confrontation.
After the speeches, the party head and the party honors division distributed commemorative plaques to the honorees at the event, which was attended by President Amin Gemayel and his wife Joyce, MP Elias Hankach, MP Slim Shaqaa, party secretary-general Serge Dagher, former minister Alaa Hakim, regional head of northern Metn Roger Abi Rached, and members of the political bureau, along with a crowd of Kataeb supporters.
