Beirut: Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel emphasized the necessity for Lebanon to consider direct negotiations with Israel, arguing that such a move would prioritize national interests and stability over foreign agendas. Speaking in an interview on LBCI, Gemayel stressed that the current decisions, particularly those aimed at consolidating weapons under state control, should serve Lebanon’s long-term stability and peace.
According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Gemayel highlighted that Lebanon’s primary focus should be on securing peace and preventing conflict, even if this involves engaging with Israel to reach a security agreement or reactivating the armistice. He noted that these measures are crucial for maintaining stability and should not be viewed as alignment with foreign powers. Gemayel underscored that peace does not necessarily equate to normalization, drawing parallels with Egypt and Jordan’s peaceful yet non-normalized relations with Israel.
Gemayel questioned the allowance for Hezbollah’s negotiations with Israel in 2006, while the Lebanese State is restricted from similar actions for its citizens’ benefit. He argued that Lebanon cannot transition to peace without addressing fundamental issues such as border demarcation, Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories, and resolving the Palestinian question. He emphasized that these decisions should be made by the state, not armed groups.
The effort to restrict weapons to the Lebanese State is portrayed by Gemayel as a national necessity, not a political maneuver. He expressed concern over the undermining of state authority by illegal weapons and highlighted the alignment of the president and prime minister’s positions with Lebanon’s interests, even if they coincide with international perspectives. Gemayel stressed that stability is vital to rebuilding investor confidence and ensuring safety for southern Lebanon’s residents.
Gemayel noted that Hezbollah’s acceptance of a weapons-free south invalidates its resistance narrative, urging honesty towards the people of the south. He commended Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for supporting state-controlled weapons and acknowledged the challenges Berri faces in balancing Shiite unity and Lebanon’s international relations.
On domestic matters, Gemayel called for a draft electoral law allowing expatriates to vote for all MPs, advocating for judicial independence, financial transparency, and measures to address Lebanon’s economic crisis. He praised former President Amine Gemayel’s efforts in preserving Lebanon’s gold reserves as a financial asset.
Concluding his remarks, Gemayel emphasized the historic opportunity for Lebanon to restore sovereignty and stability, advocating for peace as the ultimate goal. He urged decisions that prioritize Lebanon’s interests, aiming to break free from a cycle of self-destruction and conflict.