Marwan Abdallah, the Head of the Lebanese Kataeb Party’s Foreign Affairs Department, has emphasized the importance of state sovereignty, constitutional governance, and the Lebanese army's authority over all national territory, calling for strengthening the State’s institutions and ensuring that laws are enforced uniformly across Lebanon.

In an interview with LBCI, Abdallah underscored the role of the opposition in Parliament, highlighting its continuous work with national institutions and the international community to resolve the country's pressing issues. He pointed to a recent statement issued by the opposition as proof of its commitment to finding solutions that benefit all Lebanese citizens.

"We want to know the real stance of the Lebanese State," Abdallah said. "Without clear evidence, words remain just empty talk. There is a clear contradiction in Lebanon’s position. While Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri, and MP Walid Jumblatt call for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, we see Minister Mustafa Bayram praising military activities taking place at the border."

Abdallah reiterated the Kataeb Party’s support for the legitimate governance of Lebanon, stressing that the country must function within legal frameworks and that only the Lebanese army should have control over the entire nation.

However, Abdallah acknowledged the challenges facing the Lebanese army, particularly the lack of financial resources.

"To have a capable army, we need a capable State and a large budget," he explained. "In the absence of funds, we will need to rely on our friendly countries for military aid, and at that point, we cannot object to the types of weapons we receive. This is why building a strong State and implementing reforms is crucial—only then can we have a powerful army. Without these elements, we won’t achieve our goal."

Reflecting on the post-civil war era, Abdallah reminded that all factions relinquished their arms to help build the Lebanese State.

"Today, we do not believe that the Shiite community as a whole seeks a regional role. However, there is a faction—Hezbollah—politically and ideologically tied to Iran, which has ambitions beyond Lebanon. This group has monopolized the representation of the Shiite community, and the community must recognize that Hezbollah’s weapons have brought harm to Lebanon. We are all paying the price for this crisis, and the only way out is to work together to build a State that protects and benefits all."

Abdallah also addressed Iran’s involvement in Lebanon, accusing Tehran of treating Lebanon as a proxy state through Hezbollah.

"Iran views Lebanon as part of its broader negotiations and strategy in the region," he said, suggesting two paths for addressing this: internally, through dialogue to define Lebanon’s future, and externally, by engaging with the international community to counter Iran’s expansionist agenda.

Responding to comments made by Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil during a recent commemoration of October 13, Abdallah remarked, "Bassil’s accusations are ironic—someone who acts as an agent assumes everyone else is one too. For two years, we have been calling for the election of a president, but those who failed to attend the sessions, under the pretext of protecting the resistance, are the ones relying on conflict to impose their political agenda."

Abdallah called for a transitional political process to lead Lebanon out of its current crisis and build the country on new foundations. He emphasized that Hezbollah had opened the front, not the Kataeb Party, and that the balance of terror exists only within Lebanon’s borders.

"Stop lying to the world and rise to the level of nationalism you claim to uphold. It’s time to stop creating scenarios at the expense of the Lebanese people."

Turning his attention to the Shiite community, Abdallah urged them to return to the state and allow the Lebanese army and security forces to protect the country.

"Hezbollah’s promises have gone unfulfilled, and their project has failed. It’s time for the Shiite community to return to the State and work towards a common Lebanese future."

Abdallah also discussed the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, acknowledging the significant role the United States could play but noting that the upcoming U.S. presidential elections have led to a lack of commitment.

"With the presidential elections on the horizon, the U.S. is not pushing for a specific deal, as they anticipate potential changes in their administration."

Abdallah emphasized the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and called for the Lebanese army to control the borders and vital facilities.

"This would force Israel to cease its attacks and withdraw from all occupied Lebanese territory."

He further stated that the deployment of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL in the south would undermine Hezbollah’s justification for maintaining arms.

"We still place our hopes on internal Lebanese steps to build the State and reclaim control over decisions of war and peace. Speaker Nabih Berri must convene the  Parliament and provide assurances based on Lebanese interests, not instructions from external sources."

Abdallah rejected the idea of returning to the pre-October 7 period, asserting that neither Lebanon’s friends nor the Kataeb Party would allow such a regression.

"We will make sacrifices to achieve our project—the project of building a State. We will not accept living as second-class citizens under a faction that makes decisions on behalf of the Lebanese people."

On the implementation of Resolution 1701, Abdallah warned that if Hezbollah refuses to comply, it will face opposition from all Lebanese who have suffered from the devastating consequences of war.

He also addressed the recent attacks on UNIFIL, acknowledging the complexities that led to the situation.

"It is the duty of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL to protect the borders, but forces in power used their strength to create this reality."

When asked about the connection between the presidential election and the ongoing conflict, Abdallah pointed to Speaker Nabih Berri and those who wield military power to impose political outcomes. He called on the House speaker to convene Parliament and proceed with the election of a president to guide Lebanon’s political future.

Abdallah outlined the qualities needed in the next president, stating, "We want a president who will restore the functioning of institutions and initiate Lebanon’s rescue mission. The president must engage with the international community and find sustainable solutions for Lebanon, not open a front in support of any faction."

In closing, Abdallah warned against relying too heavily on the outcome of U.S. elections to resolve Lebanon’s problems.

"Time is not on our side, and regardless of the U.S. administration, their focus will be on domestic issues. We must act now to secure a ceasefire and avoid giving Israel further pretexts to expand the conflict."

He concluded, "The idea of resistance as a strong force no longer holds. Are we going to wait for more Lebanese lives to be lost? We must stop the destruction and return to the state-building project."