Lebanese Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel delivered a powerful speech on Monday, declaring that Lebanon has finally cut loose from all forms of foreign guardianship for the first time in 35 years.

Addressing Kataeb members at his office in Bikfaya, Gemayel proclaimed that the era of Hezbollah’s control, as well as the influence of Iran and Syria, has come to an end.

“Today, Lebanon is free, free, free,” he declared, acknowledging that although the country has entered a new chapter, there is still much work to be done to address the challenges that remain.

Gemayel's address focused on the significant developments in the region, particularly the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and the release of political prisoners who have been held in Syrian prisons for decades. While he celebrated the triumph of the Syrian people over dictatorship, he also reflected on the heavy history Lebanon shares with Syria, reminding that the suffering Lebanon endured at the hands of the Syrian regime began at the outset of the Lebanese Civil War.

The Kataeb leader painted a stark picture of Lebanon’s painful past under Syrian control, recalling the regime’s violent incursions into Lebanese territories and its role in escalating conflicts. He recalled the Syrian regime’s actions in towns such as Damour and Al-Qaa where massacres were committed, saying that its ultimate aim was to keep Lebanon in a state of chaos and instability.

Reflecting on the history of Lebanon’s resistance to Syrian occupation, Gemayel saluted the bravery and determination of the Lebanese who fought the Syrian occupation, hailing their resilience as pivotal to maintaining Lebanon's sovereignty. He paid tribute to figures such as President Bachir Gemayel, who was assassinated by the Syrian regime, and his brother, Former President Amin Gemayel, who led Lebanon through a prolonged diplomatic struggle to preserve the country's sovereignty.

Gemayel also discussed the shift from military resistance to political resistance, as he mentioned the political exile and persecution of several Lebanese leaders, including Former Presidents Amin Gemayel and Michel Aoun, and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea. These leaders, he noted, played an instrumental role in confronting the Syrian regime’s political repression, with many suffering imprisonment or assassination attempts. Gemayel also highlighted the involvement of other political groups, such as the Lebanese Forces and the Free Patriotic Movement, who united to challenge Syrian domination.

He further discussed the pivotal role of the March 14 movement, which emerged following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. This movement led to mass protests, calling for the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon, which ultimately took place on April 26, 2005. However, Gemayel critiqued the shift in Lebanon's guardianship, which moved from Syria to Hezbollah, marking the beginning of a new era of political and military control. This transition, he argued, led to further political assassinations and the continuation of instability in Lebanon.

Gemayel also paid tribute to those who lost their lives during this period of political strife, including journalists and politicians such as Gebran Tueni, Walid Eido, George Hawy, and many others who were victims of assassination. The legacy of these martyrs, he said, should not be forgotten.

Announcing December 9, 2024, as a historic day for Lebanon, Gemayel expressed his firm belief that Lebanon is finally free from foreign domination. However, he acknowledged that while this marks the end of an era of guardianship, Lebanon is far from out of the woods amod the ongoing presence of non-state arms and other challenges. He stressed the importance of the Lebanese people making a decisive choice for their future, urging the nation to avoid repeating past mistakes, such as the exclusion of certain factions from the political process, which occurred in 1990, 2005, and 2016.

Gemayel called for a new Lebanon built on the principles of equality, justice, and partnership, saying that the time had come for the country to prioritize sovereignty, rule of law, and respect for the Constitution. This, he argued, would ensure that no group in Lebanon is marginalized or excluded, urging the Lebanese people to put their differences aside and work together to rebuild the country on the basis of true democracy and national unity.

The Kataeb leader emphasized that Lebanon's future depends on the collective efforts of its citizens, especially its youth, who should return to rebuild the country's economy, infrastructure, and institutions. He stressed the need to foster Lebanese innovation and talent, especially from the diaspora, to restore Lebanon as a beacon of hope in the region.

In his closing remarks, Gemayel reiterated that the main goal of the Kataeb Party is to work toward realizing this vision of Lebanon’s future, which reflects the ideals and values of the founder of the Kataeb Party, Pierre Gemayel. He called for the disarmament of Hezbollah and for Lebanon to embrace a future where weapons no longer control the fate of the country.

Gemayel concluded his speech by honoring the fallen heroes of Lebanon's struggle for independence. He paid tribute to President Bachir Gemayel, his brother Pierre Amin Gemayel, and all the martyrs of the Lebanese resistance. Following his address, Gemayel and his fellow comrades headed to the graves of the Kataeb Party's martyr leaders, where wreaths were laid in remembrance of their sacrifices for Lebanon’s freedom.