NNA - The Kataeb’s Political Bureau convened its weekly meeting under the chairmanship of Party Leader Samy Gemayel. After reviewing the latest developments, the following statement was issued:
1. Hezbollah has once again resorted to its familiar tone of arrogance. Whether through remarks by Sheikh Naim Qassem, statements from Wafiq Safa, or the echo chamber of aligned “journalists and analysts,” the message is clear: their weapons are off-limits and will remain so.
The Kataeb Party views this rhetoric as yet another episode in Hezbollah’s ongoing denial of the harsh reality that Lebanon finds itself in; a reality that is the direct result of the group’s continued miscalculations. The party also denounces the recent comments made by Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, as an unacceptable interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs; one that flagrantly disregards diplomatic norms and the principles that govern sound bilateral relations.
The Kataeb Party asserts that decisions about illegal arms belong solely to the Lebanese state, which has already made its firm position clear on the matter. Similarly, the issue of equipping and strengthening the Lebanese Army to exert authority across the entire national territory is a sovereign matter in which no foreign power has any say.
The Kataeb Party reiterates its call for the immediate and unconditional handover of all weapons, without arrogance or defiance. It affirms that the only path forward for Lebanon is to ensure that all arms are placed under the sole authority of the State and its army, in full compliance with international resolutions—without reinterpretation, loopholes, or semantic maneuvering that risks pulling the country backward
2. With municipal elections fast approaching, the Kataeb Party sees a serious opportunity for the Lebanese people to bring about meaningful local-level change. Municipalities are the first point of contact between citizens and governance, and they represent the foundation of the decentralized administration that Lebanon urgently needs to enact.
The party underscores the particular importance of municipal elections in Beirut, the nation’s capital, and stresses the need to preserve the political and social balances that reflect the true character of both the city and the country. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining parity and a well-calibrated relationship between the roles of the mayor and the governor, for the benefit of all.
The Kataeb Party urges all Lebanese citizens to fully engage in this democratic process, both by running for office and by casting their votes. It calls on voters to support candidates and electoral lists that demonstrate competence, possess the necessary qualifications, and present practical plans for advancing local governance.
Accordingly, the party announces its support for specific lists and candidates in cities and towns where elections carry a broader political and national dimension. In villages where contests are driven by family or local considerations, the party grants its members and supporters full freedom to choose as they see fit, provided that their choices serve the broader public interest.
3. The Kataeb Party commends the reform-oriented direction currently adopted by the Cabinet, particularly with regard to key draft laws to Parliament, such as the bill on lifting banking secrecy. These legislative efforts, the party believes, form a critical foundation for any serious reform agenda and are essential to restoring the trust of the international community.
The party urges Parliament to endorse these bills without delay, as they are pivotal steps in the long-overdue effort to rebuild Lebanon’s credibility and chart a path toward recovery.
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