The head of the Kataeb Party, MP Sami Gemayel, stated on the program "W Halak Sho" via Al Jadeed, that "since June 14, when the presidential elections ended, and starting from this date and the way in which the issue was handled, they destroyed the principle of election." He said, "The coup began in Lebanon in 2006... There is a takeover of the country and the presidency. They destroyed the election and the quorum, and we entered a logic of imposing a president, which is a continuation of Hezbollah's coup that started since 2005 through several phases like besieging the Serail, May 7, overthrowing the Hariri government, imposing Aoun as president, and obstructing government formation. This is an integrated path aimed at enabling the party to control the country."
He continued, "With Hezbollah, the coup process takes years, but slowly and steadily, they place their hand on the country, and they want to impose a president by obstructing constitutional mechanisms and using all means. All presidents were elected through consensus, and when you need 65 MPs, there has to be consensus. What we did by nominating Jihad Azour was a natural thing in a presidential battle, and we bet that we, as an opposition, are open and positive despite Michel Moawad representing our presidential aspirations."
He said, "The atmosphere that Hezbollah puts us in has been ongoing for years. We are not prepared to continue with Hezbollah in this manner, and its performance does not reflect Lebanon. We will not accept to live as second-class citizens. I am not ready to live in patchwork without stability in a country ruled by two weapons and the presence of a militia accused of assassinations, which is obstructing the country. We are hostages, and we are experiencing a coup; either we stand against the coup, or we allow them to continue it."
Gemayel indicated that his party "will not participate in a government that legitimizes Hezbollah's weapon, and the solution lies in forming a broad opposition front to confront the party's condition. We are citizens in our country, and our existence in political life has no value because there are those who possess regional weaponry, and it is my duty to liberate my country from those whose equations and interests prevail."
He revealed, "There is a core of opposition that meets regularly, consisting of 31 MPs, and it can expand to include a larger number of MPs. There is a great possibility of reaching a result with other MPs to go together to the real problem, away from superficialities, i.e., standing as a solid barrier against the condition of the coup."
He continued, "The danger of electing Suleiman Frangieh is present, and they can secure the quorum for him through a certain deal. I fear securing the 65 votes for Frangieh, at which point Berri will decide to open the council. For me, the coup has occurred, and I will do everything I can not to secure the quorum for Frangieh's election."
Gemayel confirmed that "we must reach out to the neglected and oppressed Sunni street and address the Shia opposition that is threatened and persecuted daily to say that the time has come to reclaim our country, or we will bite our fingers in regret after six years through further emigration, decline, and altering Lebanon's identity and undermining the country's foundations and freedoms."
He added, "There is a significant role for Rifi, Makhzoumi, and Sadiq to play in this stage, and I hope the Future Movement will 'roll up its sleeves' and join the battle with us. They are dear brothers and friends, and this is an essential part of their history. Today, there is a responsibility on President Saad Hariri."
Regarding relations with the French, he said, "The French tried to resolve the crisis, and they care about Lebanon. I have no negative reaction. They are pragmatic and attempted a quick solution from the beginning after seeing that everyone, except for us, succumbed to Hezbollah's will in 2016."
He stated, "Hezbollah's intentions have become known and clear: to accuse us of treason and use weapons as happened in Kahaleh, and to threaten us directly as happened in the video that circulated. Is this the first time Hezbollah has threatened us and acted on it?"
He wished the Free Patriotic Movement would "return to its natural place alongside the sovereigns, and I do not know what their choice will be, but I hope they reject the coup that is taking place."
