In a speech delivered in Chiyah (Beirut) during a commemoration marking the launch of the Lebanese resistance, the head of the Kataeb Party, Samy Gemayel, made a direct appeal to Hezbollah, urging it to voluntarily hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state.
“Hezbollah must hand over its weapons willingly, just as others have done before them. This is not up for debate; it is a constitutional, legal and international obligation,” said Gemayel, stressing that “the only possible dialogue should be about the modalities of disarmament, not the principle.”
In his speech, Gemayel condemned the destructive impact of illegal arms in Lebanon’s history, saying they have been at the root of multiple conflicts. “We have seen what the armed path has led to. It is time to recognize that only the state can guarantee peace and stability,” he emphasized.
He also stressed the importance of national unity:
“I call on the Lebanese to unite under the banner of the army and the state.”
The Kataeb leader also called for the official recognition of the sacrifices made by Lebanese fighters:
“Our martyrs fell in our streets, our neighborhoods. The state must honor them properly. Every nation honors its heroes. Why should we be ashamed of them in Lebanon?”
Praising the “victory of the Lebanese resistance” against foreign attempts at annexation or domination, Gemayel proposed turning a “new page” in the country’s history:
“It is time to build a shared Lebanese history, based on the acceptance of the other.”
Finally, the Kataeb leader welcomed the renewed momentum brought by the new government and the president of the Republic, affirming that the international community is ready to assist Lebanon – provided the Lebanese first take responsibility.
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