Kataeb Political Bureau Member Joelle Bou Abboud, highlighted that following Hezbollah's response and the fear it instilled among the Lebanese, the presidential file has come back into focus.

She believed that this file would be no different from previous ones and would lead to no results as long as Hezbollah does not want a president at this stage.

In an interview with Voice of Lebanon, Bou Abboud stated that there are two ways to achieve a result in the presidential file: either by electing a president in consecutive parliamentary sessions or by agreeing on names that will be ratified in the elections. However, Hezbollah rejects and obstructs the quorum and insists on nominating Sleiman Frangieh, despite the fact that Lebanon’s official representation is absent in these regional circumstances, with Hezbollah acting as the official interlocutor.

Responding to a question about reliance on the Quintet Committee, she said, "Some Lebanese believe that the presidential election is a domestic matter that does not depend on any external changes, whether it be the Gaza conflict or the U.S. elections, while others are waiting for external developments."

She continued, "Speaker Nabih Berri remains steadfast in his stance on dialogue, insisting on Frangieh's candidacy, undermining institutions, and creating new norms. Dialogue has become a prerequisite before any elections. However, we oppose institutionalizing the dialogue because it is already taking place among MPs, and the other party's attempt to subdue the Lebanese is an unacceptable approach. The Kataeb Party will not change its stance; it remains firm and will not compromise."

Commenting on the situation in the South, Bou Abboud pointed out that when Hezbollah decided to engage in a distraction war and provide support, it did not consult anyone, and this is not the first time. Gaza gained nothing, while Lebanon was destroyed. Thus, Hezbollah controls Lebanon’s decisions.

She added, "The war that Hezbollah waged was a mistake that destroyed Lebanon and its economy, and it must bear responsibility. The current problem lies in the narrative implanted by Hezbollah in the minds of the Lebanese, suggesting that the Lebanese army is incapable of defending Lebanon and that the resistance is the deterrent in the South, which poses a threat to Lebanon."

She noted that Israel's ambitions in Lebanon have always existed but that does not justify throwing the country into the unknown and provoking a criminal enemy. The logic of "preemptive war" is flawed.

Bou Abboud emphasized that Hezbollah's internal policies are an extension and implementation of Iran's policies, which seeks to position itself as the primary defender of the Palestinian cause. This is evident in the responses to the assassinations that have not met Palestinian expectations.

On the government's performance during the war, she said, "Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated that the government is incapable of doing anything, which is not surprising given that it is a Hezbollah-controlled government. When the situation escalated, the government met to devise an emergency plan, but it did not discuss the war decision, just like the parliament, which did not respond to our calls for an emergency session."

Bou Abboud stressed that the confrontation requires a significant national alignment with the sovereignists against Hezbollah. "We are not speaking from a sectarian standpoint; the situation calls for a national opposition front. The talk of escalating tensions between the Christian and Shiite sects is incorrect; the current escalation is between the state logic and Hezbollah’s logic."

Responding to the statistics published by Al-Akhbar newspaper regarding the number of Christians, she said, "This is an attempt to intimidate and demoralize Christians. They have tried various means of intimidation and threats, but these tactics will not succeed. All sects are committed to Christians, and we have the ability to coexist with all sects."

Commenting on Minister of Public Works Ali Hamieh's criticism of MP Dr. Selim Sayegh's proposal, she noted that MP Sayegh proposed opening a second airport and reactivating the Jounieh Port in a developmental manner, away from politics.

In response to a question, she affirmed that UNSC Resolution 1701 must be fully implemented alongside the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1559; otherwise, there will be no sustainable solution in Lebanon. She added, "Had these resolutions been implemented earlier, we would not have entered a new war."