Kataeb leader, MP Samy Gemayel, on Monday affirmed that his party does not await the results of any war or rely on external factors to decide on domestic issues, reiterating his call for the election of a president as soon as possible.

Following his meeting with a delegation from the Democratic Gathering bloc, led by MP Taymour Jumblat, at the Kataeb Party’s headquarters in Saifi, Gemayel voiced readiness to overlook formalities, as long as the Constitution is not being violated.

Gemayel questioned whether there is a guarantee that Marada Movement leader Sleiman Frangieh will withdraw his presidential candidacy and if new names will be considered, also asking if, in the event of a failure to reach a consensus, political forces would still proceed to an electoral session and abide by the Constitution.

The Kataeb leader affirmed that the country should not pay another price in exchange for withdrawing Frangieh's candidacy, adding that he shall not cede to any attempts to impose the latter as a new president.

Gemayel proposed that the four major Christian leaders, including himself, would steer clear of the presidential race, adding that it would be impossible for any of them to run for the elections as they are deeply involved in the ongoing political polarization in the country.

“The current political rift does not allow for imposing a candidate, so we are trying to find someone who can unite the Lebanese and pave the way for a serious dialogue."

"The problem we are facing is that Hezbollah and its allies dismiss the democratic process, as evidenced by the disruption of the quorum in electoral sessions, and the rejection of any talks aimed at finding alternative candidates,” Gemayel pointed out. “Consequently, Hezbollah and its allies are obstructing both the democratic and consensual processes."

Gemayel reaffirmed his readiness to support the democratic process by ensuring quorum and being open to discussing all names until reaching a consensus candidate. However, he deplored the “extreme negativity” prevailing on the other side, expressing confusion at those who are stubbornly sticking to their candidate while claiming openness to dialogue.

"Therefore, to be positive, we are ready to overlook formalities, but is there a guarantee that Frangieh will withdraw his candidacy and that other names will be considered? If consensus fails, will we proceed to an electoral session and adhere to the Constitution? All we ask for is a guarantee that, at the end of the day, a president who unites the country, prioritizes sovereignty above all else, and supports reforms will be elected. We will not stop at formalities as long as they do not violate the Constitution and come with substantial guarantees."

"Unequal dialogue means they ask for a price in return for abandoning Frangieh’s candidacy, which implies making concessions before the dialogue even starts. This is dangerous, and we reject such a dialogue, especially without guarantees to consider other candidates. If this is the dialogue they want us to engage in, this means that there will be definitely a price to pay.”

"We are positive but not willing to surrender. If positivity means surrender, then we will not do that. We will not hand over the country for another six years like those marked by economic collapse, the port explosion, and the loss of all means of existence. No one should ask us to hand over the country. If the goal is to revive the country, then we need to think differently."

For his part, MP Marwan Hamadeh noted that the current circumstances are more challenging than in the past, adding that both the Kataeb and the Progressive Socialist Parties converge on Lebanon's future and the willingness to end the current vacuum.  

The meeting was attended by MPs Nadim Gemayel, Salim Sayegh and Elias Hankash, Kataeb’s Secretary-General Serge Dagher, former MP Fadi Al-Haber, political bureau members Rita Boulos and Suhail Hamdan, Gemayel’s advisor Sassin Sassin, the head of the Kataeb’s Alay region Teodora Bejjani, and the head of the party’s media department Patrick Richa. From the Democratic Gathering and the Progressive Socialist Party, attendees included party leader Taymour Jumblat, MPs Marwan Hamadeh, Hadi Abu Al-Hassan, Wael Abu Faour, PSP’s Secretary-General Dhafer Nasser, and Jumblat’s advisor Hussam Harb.