Kataeb Party leader and lawmaker Samy Gemayel on Thursday called on Lebanon’s government to explain what it has done so far to implement decisions aimed at restoring State sovereignty and bringing all weapons under State control, warning that failure to act could lead to a wider war and leave Lebanon vulnerable to agreements reached over its head.

Speaking at a news conference devoted to the government’s implementation of its own decisions on State sovereignty, Gemayel said Parliament appeared disconnected from what was happening across Lebanon.

“We have repeatedly called for a session to question the government, and we thank Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri for agreeing to postpone the session because it coincided with the anniversary of Bashir Gemayel’s assassination, and for responding to our request,” he said.

Gemayel said the Kataeb Party had submitted what he described as a “fundamental and decisive” question to the government about the implementation of measures it had adopted since taking office.

He cited the government’s commitment in its ministerial statement to confine weapons to the State, its Aug. 5 decision tasking the army with preparing a plan to bring weapons under State control, its Aug. 7 decision, its March 2 decision banning Hezbollah’s military activities, and an April 9 decision to bring weapons in Beirut under State control.

“The problem is not with the decisions themselves. Their meaning is clear,” Gemayel said. “They are about enforcing the law and the Constitution, ensuring equality among Lebanese and making sure weapons are held exclusively by the State.”

He said the question now was whether those decisions were actually being implemented.

“These are questions every Lebanese is asking,” Gemayel said. “What has actually been implemented? What has been done to enforce the Cabinet’s decisions, the army’s plan to bring weapons under State control and the process of consolidating the State’s control over weapons? What is preventing us from starting in areas that are not involved in the current fighting? Are there tunnels or weapons depots there? And what deadline has the government set for carrying out these decisions?”

Gemayel said it was their duty to hold the government accountable for its decisions and promises, stressing that the questions were being raised out of concern for the country and to encourage the authorities to act.

“We are asking these questions because we care about the country,” he said. “We support the president and the government. We share their concerns and their ambition to build the sovereign, free and independent State that we all want to see.”

Gemayel warned that Lebanon was approaching a dangerous security phase, pointing to the damage caused by tunnels and military infrastructure to surrounding homes, villages and towns.

“We have seen the damage these tunnels can cause to the homes, villages and towns around them,” he said. “With tensions rising and threats intensifying, our goal is to protect the Lebanese people. If there are other hidden military complexes like Ali al-Taher in the Bekaa, Beirut, Metn or Keserwan, then all of our communities are at risk.”

“If the State does not do its job, this war could spread,” he added.

Gemayel also praised a group in Nabatiyeh that had issued an appeal calling on the State to assert its authority, deploy the army and prevent an armed presence in the area.

“This is a demand shared by all Lebanese,” he said. “We expect the State to act on it.”

Gemayel urged the government to take preventive measures before the conflict expands further.

“We are warning before the war spreads,” he said. “We are calling on the State to take every measure necessary to prevent further escalation and stop the destruction, shelling and attacks from spreading to other areas.”

He also called on the government to implement decisions it had already taken, including one requiring Hezbollah to hand over its weapons to the State and tasking the army and security agencies with carrying out the decision immediately.

“Those are the government’s own words,” Gemayel said.

“What is stopping the government from bringing weapons under State control in areas that are safe?” he asked. “We are raising these questions because we want to strengthen the sovereign authority that is working in Lebanon’s interests. This is not about accusations or pointless criticism. We are asking the government for answers and calling on it to honor the commitments it made to all Lebanese.”

“Our question is simple: What have you done, what are you going to do, and what is the timetable for implementing these decisions?”

Gemayel also rejected concerns that enforcing State authority could itself threaten civil peace, arguing that allowing armed groups to defy State decisions would create a greater danger.

“Some people are defying the decisions of the State, and the State has only two choices: submit to that defiance or confront it,” he said. “The State has chosen to confront it. It cannot be afraid of that defiance and then give in to it. It has to stand up to it.”

He said references to protecting civil peace effectively acknowledged that there was a group threatening that peace and argued that the State could not give in to threats.

“My fear is that if the State does not assume its responsibility, the State itself will be weakened, and the dreams and hopes of the Lebanese people will be weakened with it,” Gemayel said. “If the State does not do its job, the war will spread, and we will all lose.”

He also warned that a perception of State weakness could encourage Israel and the United States to negotiate directly with non-state actors at Lebanon’s expense.

“If the State appears incapable, Israel and the United States will end up reaching out to non-state actors and reaching agreements with them at the expense of the State and the Lebanese people,” he said. “That is why we are at a critical juncture.”

“Today we have raised these questions, and we are saying, in good faith and out of concern for the country, that we are waiting for answers.”

Gemayel said the State was no longer complicit with Hezbollah and that the political leadership and security forces now had to carry out their responsibilities.

“The State is no longer complicit with Hezbollah,” he said. “We have to do our job, and the Lebanese people will hold us accountable at the ballot box.”