Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel called on Lebanese expatriates to register in large numbers ahead of Lebanon’s upcoming parliamentary elections, describing the vote as a “decisive turning point” for the country.

Speaking at the Kataeb’s Ottawa chapter annual celebration marking the party’s 89th anniversary, Gemayel stressed that the party’s efforts since 2017 aim to ensure that expatriates can vote for all 128 members of parliament, not just six seats.

“A legal victory without actual electoral participation changes nothing,” he said.

Reflecting on Lebanon’s turbulent recent history, Gemayel recounted five decades marked by wars, occupations, and political and security pressures, emphasizing that the Lebanese people have never lost faith in their country or its ideals of freedom.

He outlined a series of challenges starting in the late 1960s, from Palestinian militias and the Syrian occupation to Hezbollah’s military dominance, noting that these trials did not stop Lebanon’s resistance to externally imposed agendas.

“Determination and resilience have always been key to defending the state and its institutions,” he said.

Gemayel also shared his personal experience resisting the Syrian occupation, highlighting that his nearly 27-year struggle reflects a broader Kataeb tradition of sacrifice, from party leaders and youth to the martyrs he called a national trust and an enduring commitment to Lebanon’s freedom.

Turning to the present, Gemayel said Lebanon now faces an opportunity unseen in five decades. For the first time, he said, no external powers are dictating state decisions, and constitutional institutions are functioning on a sovereign basis. He added that both regional and international conditions are now favorable for restoring state authority and asserting sovereignty over the entire country.

Emphasizing the importance of the upcoming elections, Gemayel urged expatriates to register, noting that participation is critical to ensure their right to vote for all 128 MPs. He reassured voters that registering abroad does not affect their ability to vote in Lebanon if overseas voting fails, since names remain automatically listed on domestic electoral rolls. He called for spreading a culture of registration and participation, urging citizens not to give in to doubt or despair.

Gemayel also announced that the Kataeb Party will contest the elections with a clear and comprehensive platform covering political, economic, service, environmental, and educational issues. He said candidates should be chosen based on credibility, performance, and commitment to the national cause, not on emotional or inherited political loyalties.

Concluding his remarks, Gemayel expressed confidence in Lebanon’s future, highlighting the country’s human capital and the strength of its diaspora.

“You are Lebanon’s wealth and its natural extension… and we will meet in Beirut,” he said.