Marwan Abdallah, Head of the Kataeb's Foreign Affairs Department, reaffirmed the party's commitment to supporting the Lebanese State, praising the recent prisoner release through diplomatic channels as a sign of the country reclaiming its role on the regional stage after years of Hezbollah's dominance.

In an interview with Voice of Lebanon, Abdallah stated that the Kataeb Party's stance remains unchanged, positioning itself behind Lebanon's legitimate institutions in contrast to factions that favor militias and parallel authorities.

Abdallah emphasized the need for a clear government strategy regarding relations with Syria and Israel, stressing that the Kataeb Party stands behind the State in pursuing outcomes that serve Lebanon's best interests.

"We also demand Israel's withdrawal from the five occupied points through Lebanese diplomatic channels," he said.

Addressing Hezbollah's role, Abdallah pointed to what he described as a "fundamental problem" with the party's structure, asserting that its foundation is not rooted in Lebanese sovereignty but rather in serving Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Tehran's regional ambitions.

"Hezbollah must realize that its excess power no longer holds and accept the new reality — that the Lebanese State is the only refuge."

Abdallah extended his message to Hezbollah's supporters and the Shiite community, stating that the only path forward is through the Lebanese State, which alone can guarantee citizens' rights.

"It's time to return to the project of state-building. Once that happens, Naim Qassem's rhetoric will lose its relevance. The solution is clear: a state and a government fulfilling their duties. Let’s join this project and close the chapter of Hezbollah," he said.

Abdallah further highlighted that the path forward requires dialogue, urging all parties to come together to address mutual concerns.

"The foundation of Lebanese citizenship and unity — which does not eliminate other narratives but rather unites them — begins with honesty and reconciliation," Abdallah explained. "Most importantly, we must accept that Lebanon is a final homeland for all its people, a belief that is non-negotiable."

He outlined three conditions for genuine reconciliation: "No Lebanese group should pledge allegiance to foreign powers, no faction should possess weapons outside State authority, and equality must prevail so that no Lebanese citizen feels defeated. It’s time to build a nation where everyone enjoys equal rights and bears equal responsibilities."

Turning to the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and the disarmament of Hezbollah, Abdallah noted that Hezbollah's ministers had approved the ceasefire agreement, which mandates the establishment of a joint security committee led by the United States and the handover of weapons. He further highlighted that Hezbollah itself granted confidence to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government, whose ministerial statement explicitly stipulates the State's exclusive right to bear arms.

"Therefore, Hezbollah must hand over its weapons — what matters now is execution."

Abdallah dismissed Hezbollah's differentiation between the presence of weapons north and south of the Litani River as mere rhetoric, clarifying that Resolution 1701 mandates the withdrawal of weapons across all Lebanese territories, not just south of the Litani.

Commenting on the deteriorating security situation on Syria's coast, Abdallah condemned the ongoing crimes and massacres, calling on the Syrian administration to address the matter urgently.

"This is a major test for the new regime. The countries overseeing security in the region must intervene, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure justice for the victims."

Regarding the impact of Syrian events on Lebanon’s security, Abdallah stressed the need to reassess the role of Lebanese security agencies to allow the army to focus on border protection.

"We must all return to the state-building project. The Lebanese army is fully capable of handling any border breaches," he said.

On the upcoming municipal elections, Abdallah stated that the Kataeb Party views the vote as a crucial constitutional milestone.

"We believe municipalities are the cornerstone of Lebanon's decentralized system. In small and medium-sized villages, family ties often take precedence, while political roles become more pronounced in larger cities."

Abdallah also addressed the Kataeb's participation in a conference in Hungary titled "The Future of Lebanon from a Christian Perspective." He clarified that the focus was on Lebanon's development, with participating countries recognizing that any sustainable growth must involve Christian engagement.

"This initiative is one of many worldwide aimed at supporting Lebanon's recovery," he concluded.