Joelle Bou Abboud, a member of the Kataeb Party's Political Bureau, emphasized the importance of focusing on recent political milestones witnessed in Lebanon, while acknowledging the external interventions and political challenges the country is facing.

"We need to focus on the recent achievements made during this period and build on them," Bou Abboud said in an interview on Voice of Lebanon, highlighting the significance of progress despite ongoing obstacles.

"There is no doubt that there are external interventions and agendas, which no president can easily overcome. In addition, there is the 'deep state' established by the Shiite Amal-Hezbollah duo. Therefore, we should not let our hopes be dashed, as we are still within the natural deadlines for forming the government, and work is underway to overcome the difficulties and obstacles."

Bou Abboud reaffirmed the commitment of Lebanon’s sovereign political forces to prevent a return to sectarian power-sharing and the direct involvement of Hezbollah in government formation. She stressed that the Kataeb Party and other sovereign parties aim to preserve Lebanon's independence, despite the pressures from external and internal actors.

"As sovereign parties, we are here to prevent the return of sectarian power-sharing and direct meddling by the Shiite duo in the formation of the government," she explained. "Hezbollah must realize that the status quo has changed, and it can no longer deal with the people and the state in the same manner as before. Its only remaining option is the Lebanese state."

Bou Abboud also addressed the ongoing debate surrounding Lebanon’s National Pact, clarifying that the National Pact referenced in the Lebanese Constitution pertains to communities, not specific sects or political parties.

"The National Pact mentioned in the preamble of the Constitution does not relate to sects but to communities, meaning Christians and Muslims. It also does not relate to parties, which means that the Shiite representation in the government should not only be linked to the Amal-Hezbollah duo," she said.

On the role of the Kataeb in Lebanon’s upcoming government, Bou Abboud emphasized that the party intends to play an active role in shaping the country's future governance.

"The Kataeb party plays a key role in the positive change that has been achieved, and our choice is to participate in governance because the time has come for us to have an effective role, especially with the presence of two honest presidents free from corruption," she stated. "We have no interest in power-sharing, and we have no intention of obstructing the formation of the government."

Bou Abboud also discussed the shifting political dynamics following recent losses by Hezbollah and its allies in Lebanon's political struggles. She noted that after their defeats in the presidential and premiership elections, Hezbollah and its allies are now seeking to retain influence.

"After the Amal-Hezbollah duo's loss in the recent military war and in the political races for the presidency and the premiership, they are now trying to hold on to what they have left. Therefore, they are working to be part of the government to impose certain projects or obstruct others," Bou Abboud observed. "If they fail to impose what they want, they will certainly prefer not to form the government. The duo should draw lessons from what has happened, and our hand is extended to them, as we do not wish to exclude anyone."

Regarding Hezbollah’s military strategy, Bou Abboud rejected the notion of a "defensive strategy" proposed by the group, particularly after President Joseph Aoun’s inaugural speech in which he called for a comprehensive national defense policy that would see the State exclusively in charge. 

"The logic of the 'defensive strategy' has disintegrated. This means that this policy should be implemented solely by the state."

She added that Hezbollah’s self-declared partnership with the Lebanese Army is not acceptable.

"In the 'defensive strategy' Hezbollah talks about, it considers itself a partner of the Lebanese army, which is unacceptable. The state and the Lebanese army are the only ones that hold the decision-making power on war and peace. Hezbollah has no right to give lessons to the army or the Lebanese state."

Bou Abboud also discussed the need for the Lebanese army to assert control over Lebanon’s security.

"The army must deploy and take control of Hezbollah's weapon depots, and Hezbollah must withdraw to the area south of the Litani River. Therefore, Hezbollah's return to the state's fold is not an act of surrender, but a guarantee for its own survival."

Bou Abboud also called for Hezbollah to reconsider its tactics, emphasizing the need for the group to avoid using civilians as shields.

"Hezbollah must stop using its citizens and environment as human shields and providing a pretext for the Israeli army to kill them or reignite the war."

Looking forward, Bou Abboud stressed the importance of a diplomatic approach and called for Hezbollah to engage in Lebanon’s governance with humility and sense of cooperation.

"Hezbollah no longer has the capacity for confrontation, and there is serious and ongoing diplomatic work to help Lebanon, which will yield results in parallel with the state's full commitment to its duties," she said. "Hezbollah must participate in the state's resources, away from high demands, in complete humility, and it must yield to the logic of genuine and equal participation in governance."

In her closing remarks, Bou Abboud reaffirmed the Kataeb Party's commitment to the principles of neutrality, decentralization, and pluralism, which she sees as essential for Lebanon's future.

"Neutrality, decentralization, and pluralism are core elements of the Lebanese Kataeb party's project," she asserted. "In our view, these three principles constitute the pillars of the Lebanese system. We believe that Lebanon's neutrality is essential to maintaining its security and independence, and Lebanon must be made into an international space that is culturally, politically, and socially inclusive."