Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel on Wednesday urged a dual-track approach to resolving Lebanon’s security crisis, calling for the simultaneous withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territory and the disarmament of Hezbollah. 

Speaking after a meeting with French Presidential Envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, Gemayel said discussions focused on the country’s security and political landscape, particularly 100 days after the formation of Lebanon’s current government.

He highlighted growing concerns over repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty, including Israeli shelling in the south, ongoing infringements of the ceasefire agreement, and escalating threats to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Gemayel stressed that Lebanon must assume full responsibility for asserting its sovereignty and controlling its territory. This includes addressing Hezbollah’s weapons, which he described as a central obstacle to state authority.

“At the same time, Israel must withdraw from all occupied Lebanese lands,” he said. “These two tracks must proceed in parallel. We support a roadmap that guarantees Israel’s withdrawal while Lebanon takes clear and concrete steps on the disarmament issue.”

The Kataeb chief called on the international community to back this approach, emphasizing that Lebanon must demonstrate seriousness through tangible action, while also pressuring Israel to show good faith by halting its attacks and pulling back from occupied areas.

Gemayel also condemned recent assaults on UNIFIL personnel in southern Lebanon, describing these acts as a dangerous and negative signal to Lebanon’s international partners.

“These scenes are not representative of Lebanon,” he said. “They send a deeply troubling message to the very countries whose support we desperately need. If these attacks continue, and if the state fails to hold perpetrators accountable, Lebanon will pay a heavy price.”

He pointed out the irony in recent hostilities toward UNIFIL, given that the peacekeeping force’s own statements have consistently condemned Israeli violations and held Israel responsible for escalating tensions in southern Lebanon.

“It’s incomprehensible,” Gemayel said. “All of UNIFIL’s declarations are clearly critical of Israeli conduct, so these reactions against the peacekeepers make no sense.”

The Kataeb leader also pressed for faster implementation of long-stalled reforms, warning against further delay. He said Lebanon’s government and parliament must urgently pass key legislation, including the long-pending banking law and a bill to ensure judicial independence.

He also underscored the importance of approving a financial gap law to restore fiscal stability.

“We need to open a new chapter in Lebanon’s history as quickly as possible,” Gemayel said. “This is the only way to revive our economy and help our people move from despair to hope. The Lebanese deserve to live with dignity and ambition, and that starts with serious reforms now.”

The talks, held at the Kataeb’s  headquarters in Saifi, were attended by MP Salim Sayegh, political bureau member Joelle Bou Abboud, Head of the Party’s Foreign Affairs Department Marwan Abdallah, and French Ambassador to Lebanon Hervé Magro.