Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel on Tuesday called Hezbollah’s recent actions “suicidal” and urged the Lebanese state to fully assert its authority to prevent further disasters.

Speaking after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Gemayel stressed the need to maintain close coordination with the head of state, whom he described as “the captain of the ship,” recognizing the heavy responsibilities Aoun carries in steering Lebanon through the crisis.

“These are historic days,” Gemayel said. “Lebanon still has a chance to avoid further catastrophe after Hezbollah took these reckless actions. The group is exposing the country to invasion and unrest. We cannot understand this sick mindset which hasn’t learned anything from past mistakes.”

While noting that decisive government action would have been better sooner, Gemayel praised the Cabinet’s decision to ban non-state military activity.

“Better late than never. The key is making sure it’s enforced,” he said.

Gemayel accused Hezbollah of putting the State and its institutions in a difficult position, adding that the government has begun taking bold steps to restore control.

“These decisions are historic,” he said, calling on the security, military, and judicial authorities to make sure they are carried out.

He stressed that judicial arrest warrants must be backed by political authority to be effective.

“We hope the government delivers on its promise to mobilize the full power of the State,” Gemayel said. “Army intelligence must track and apprehend every Hezbollah security cell, with the Mechanism committee providing all the information and data needed to carry out the mission.”

“We have no choice but to act to stop the escalation,” he added. “Extraordinary effort is needed to show that the State is taking the lead and to prevent more destruction, deaths, displacement, and potential invasion.”

Gemayel outlined measures to safeguard the country, including declaring a state of emergency and deploying security forces nationwide to dismantle Hezbollah’s cells and illegal financial networks. He also called for cutting diplomatic ties with Iran and expelling its ambassador, accusing Tehran of contributing to Lebanon’s ongoing crisis.

On concerns about a potential confrontation with Hezbollah, Gemayel said the priority is protecting civilians in southern Lebanon.

“People there expect the State to step in. That actually makes the army’s job easier; they want protection from this nightmare. Enforcing government decisions by force will now be simpler,” he said.

“Hezbollah must step aside and allow us to take action in order to stop the disasters it keeps bringing on the country,” Gemayel added. “Our priority is protecting the Shiite community, who have no part in the group’s suicidal actions.”