Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel emphasized the need for Hezbollah to “recognize that the time has come to hand over authority to the State.”
According to Gemayel, it is up to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to convince the pro-Iranian group to allow the Lebanese state to assume its rightful role in governing the country. Speaking on LBCI on Monday evening, the Kataeb leader stressed that the state must regain exclusive decision-making power in order to participate in post-war negotiations.
He highlighted that “the immediate priority is to secure a ceasefire and reestablish the authority of the state and the army." He added, "Afterward, we can rebuild Lebanon on new foundations—there will be no going back.”
“When we call on Hezbollah to integrate into the Lebanese army by handing over its weapons, it is not a surrender we are demanding, but equality among all Lebanese citizens through a return to state authority,” Gemayel stated.
When asked about the possibility of a national dialogue with Hezbollah, he responded that “it is not our role to engage with Hezbollah; this is Berri and Mikati’s responsibility .”
He argued that, following the death of Hezbollah's leader, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi came to Lebanon to directly intervene in the country’s affairs.
In this context, Gemayel suggested that Hezbollah had retreated after the visit. Prior to this Iranian intervention, Hezbollah representatives had started to align themselves with Berri's efforts to secure a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Gemayel also referred to Sleiman Frangieh’s Monday announcement that he would continue his presidential bid as part of this "backtracking."
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