Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel warned that both light and medium weapons pose a direct threat to the Lebanese state and stand in the way of state-building, urging swift and decisive action to disarm all non-state groups without the need for further dialogue.

In a wide-ranging interview on Transparency News platform, Gemayel stressed that the decision to place all weapons under the exclusive control of the state is no longer up for debate, having been enshrined in the president's inaugural speech, the ministerial statement, and the ceasefire agreement.

Gemayel cautioned that continued procrastination could lead to a scenario where only heavy weapons are surrendered while Hezbollah strikes a deal with Israel, thereby preserving the status quo that has prevailed for the past three decades. He said the root of the Lebanese crisis lies in Hezbollah's unilateral armament, which derails state-building efforts and leaves Lebanon at the mercy of a single armed faction.

"All Lebanese agree on investment, peace, and recovery, except for one group: Hezbollah. It is the primary obstacle to building a state as it is still clinging to its weapons. This is the heart of the problem, and it must be resolved either amicably or by force," he said.

Gemayel rejected criticism aimed at President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, calling instead for support for their efforts and cautioning against political grandstanding. He reiterated that the disarmament of non-state actors must precede any political development, national reconciliation, or reform.

"There can be no truth, reconciliation, or reform while one party keeps weapons on the table," he said.

Gemayel identified two main problems with Hezbollah’s weapons. First, on the regional level, heavy weapons such as missiles and drones are being used to entangle Lebanon in regional conflicts aligned with Iran’s interests. Second, on the domestic level, light and medium weapons are used to suppress political opponents, influence elections, and instill fear, citing political assassinations and the events of May 7, 2008.

"The greatest obstacle to building a state is not the heavy weapons, but the light and medium ones that threaten the internal stability of Lebanon," Gemayel argued.

He called for dismantling the military structure of all political parties, including Hezbollah, Amal Movement, and the Syrian Social Nationalist Party, all of which, he noted, possess light and medium weaponry and conduct military parades.

Gemayel emphasized the need for a modern, militia-free state, starting with Hezbollah’s complete disarmament and extending to the disarmament of all armed groups, including Palestinian factions in refugee camps. He said the decision to confine arms to the state is now official and must be implemented rather than further discussed.

Calling the current moment one of truth, Gemayel acknowledged that both the president and prime minister face a difficult challenge.

"We know Hezbollah continues to delay and impose conditions, but the region is moving toward openness, stability, and economic priorities. Meanwhile, Lebanon remains stuck in an outdated, militarized mindset that has failed. Iran and its proxies have been decimated, proving that military strength cannot replace economic competitiveness and innovation," he said.

He added that Lebanon cannot compete with Israel militarily and must instead offer a superior model rooted in knowledge and economic success.

"We cannot remain an Iranian enclave in a region that is evolving," he warned. "The Middle East is entering a new phase, while Lebanon remains a chaotic island marked by destruction and senseless violence."

Gemayel said he has not seen the details of Lebanon's response to U.S. envoy Tom Barrack’s proposal but believes officials are seeking a phased approach that ties Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon to Hezbollah’s disarmament and the start of reconstruction. While he voiced openness to a solution that resolves the core issue, he expressed concern that the process may replicate past failures, including the unresolved dispute over Shebaa Farms.

"We’re witnessing the same scenario: Hezbollah says it won’t disarm until Israel withdraws, while Israel says it won’t withdraw until Hezbollah disarms," he noted.

Gemayel urged the president, prime minister, and cabinet to act decisively.

"Enough is enough. After everything we've endured, we cannot go in circles again. This issue must be resolved," he said.

Gemayel acknowledged President Aoun's attempts to resolve the matter without resorting to violence and stressed the importance of giving the president a chance to succeed, but within a clearly defined timeframe.

"If Hezbollah is willing to engage constructively, we’re open to that. But an open-ended deadline is unacceptable. A military confrontation, in my view, would be less damaging than allowing Lebanon to remain hostage to these weapons for another twenty years."

"We must be clear: if the president and prime minister fail to take action, their term and the government’s credibility will collapse. We’ll never achieve a real state, and they know this."

Gemayel warned against shifting public pressure away from Hezbollah and onto state institutions.

"It’s unacceptable to misdirect pressure that should be on Hezbollah toward the president and prime minister. Let’s not fall into the trap of internal squabbles and forget who the real obstacle is."

"These men are our allies. They deserve our help, not our sabotage. Criticism is healthy, but it must not obscure the real issue, which is Hezbollah’s arms."

Gemayel stressed that the disarmament debate is not about appeasing foreign powers.

"We’ve been calling for Hezbollah to disarm for over forty years, long before many of the states that now criticize it were willing to take a stand. We said no to Hezbollah’s weapons when others were electing its allies to the presidency."

He emphasized that Lebanon cannot reform its political system under the shadow of arms.

"You cannot negotiate the rules of the game with someone holding a gun to your head. We cannot begin real dialogue until those weapons are handed over."

On the electoral rights of expatriates, Gemayel reiterated his support for full suffrage and the abolition of Article 112, which limits expatriate voting to only six parliamentary seats. He said his party has submitted a draft law to allow Lebanese abroad to vote for all 128 MPs and remains committed to securing majority support in parliament for the change.

On the broader political structure, Gemayel insisted that any discussion of political reform must come after disarmament and a national reconciliation process.

"We cannot repeat the mistakes of 2005 and 2009, when we missed two real opportunities to build a nation."

He called for a long-overdue reckoning over Lebanon’s sectarian imbalance, which he said fuels mistrust and drives communities to seek protection from foreign powers.

"This unspoken demographic issue is the root of Lebanon’s electoral dysfunction, fears among communities, and political instability. It must be addressed head-on."

Gemayel said Lebanon must study pluralistic societies worldwide and adopt consensus-based governance models that don’t rely solely on numbers.

"Centrally managed, majoritarian systems don’t work here. What we need is a new model that moves us away from the logic of sectarian dominance and toward genuine power-sharing."

He warned that without addressing the weapons issue first, Lebanon risks falling into another cycle of collapse.

"We’ve been through 15 years of war, 15 years of occupation, and now 20 years of crisis. If we don’t resolve this now, we’ll pass on these same crises to our children."

Gemayel dismissed attempts to stoke fear of ISIS or other security threats as diversions meant to justify inaction.

"We must be aware that these are just tactics to delay the necessary steps. The Lebanese want peace, investment, and recovery. Only one group stands in the way."

Gemayel concluded with a plea for unity and responsibility.

"For the first time in 30 years, we have a sovereign president and a sovereign prime minister speaking clearly about the state’s monopoly on arms. Let’s not tear them down. This is not the time for electoral posturing; it’s time to rally behind them, to offer constructive criticism, not sabotage."

"If they betray the cause, we’ll take a stand. But for now, their delay is not betrayal; they are navigating immense challenges. Let’s give them the support they need."