The President of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, Sami Gemayel, affirmed Lebanon's right to restrict weapons to the Lebanese Army. He stated that Resolution 1701 could be implemented at Lebanon's expense if executed partially, allowing Hezbollah to maintain its weapons. In an interview with the program "Dialogue of the Phase," Gemayel mentioned that Resolution 1559 encapsulates what is necessary to save Lebanon. If it were applied, there would be no need for Resolution 1701, as 1559 asserts Lebanon's right to control arms exclusively with the army and disarm militias. He emphasized that without its implementation, the lives of Lebanese people would remain indefinitely suspended.
Gemayel insisted that there must be those who withstand difficulties and pressures in Lebanon, asserting that adhering to Resolution 1559 sends a message to all that they will not surrender regardless of challenges and geopolitical interests, stressing the need to stand against adversity. He recalled that in 1975, there was international collusion against Lebanon, and they stood against the conspiracy and succeeded thanks to the martyrs of the Kataeb and the resistance, stating that without them, Lebanon would have been an alternative country.
He stated, "We will not succumb to external will; we do not know surrender. We have paid the price with the martyrdom of Bashir and Minister Pierre Gemayel and many others, and we will continue to defend the country and what we represent: freedom, openness, and peace. We will not be part of any collusion." He highlighted that Israel has succeeded in prioritizing its interests in the West, and as Lebanese, they must be represented in negotiations, which should be a trilateral table rather than a bilateral one amidst the absence of the government and parliament from the meetings.
He continued, "For us, the priority is that the Lebanese are represented at the negotiation table, starting with the election of a president." He pointed out that having a president would place Lebanon on the negotiation table, ensuring Lebanon’s interests are prioritized. He added that Hezbollah does not want a president to avoid being a partner in negotiations but may accept if pressured to endorse its candidate.
He questioned, "If there is an armed group, do we have to submit to it? We, in the Lebanese resistance, laid down our weapons because we believe in the state, but Hezbollah does not seek Lebanon's interests." He mentioned that they are trying to resist with the means available and are not alone in this process, as many political forces and the Lebanese people stand with them.
Gemayel remarked that the Palestinians have the right to live in a state of peace, but Hezbollah, by opening a support front, has shown that its goal is to promote the resistance project in the Islamic world, not to support Gaza or distract Israel. He asked rhetorically, "Has Gaza been less destroyed after opening the support front from Lebanon? Hezbollah has destroyed Lebanon, and Iran cannot sell its Persian project to Arab Muslims, as most Muslims belong to the Sunni sect."
He added that "Hezbollah has succeeded in its propaganda campaign and has become more accepted by some countries that have forgotten what it has done in Syria and Lebanon," asserting that if Hezbollah's true goal were to liberate Palestine, it would have engaged with Hamas against Israel on October 7.
Gemayel concluded by stating that it is possible for them as an opposition to deliver better performance. Their goal is to establish a broader front, declaring, "We will not surrender, and no party can break us. We fear no one, and the confrontation must be strategic rather than suicidal, utilizing all our strengths."
