Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel said Hezbollah finds itself in an “intellectual, ideological, and moral predicament” toward both its supporters and itself, arguing that the group has abandoned the very reason for its existence.

“Hezbollah is no longer capable of liberating Jerusalem or standing up to Israel. Every justification for the existence of its weapons has collapsed,” Gemayel said in an interview with Al Jadeed TV. “What remains is the pretext of using those weapons to dominate the State, its institutions, and the rest of the Lebanese people.”

Gemayel accused Hezbollah of transforming “from a movement of resistance and defense into an armed militia imposing its will on others and undermining the authority of the State.” He said that while the group “continues to hand over its depots, tunnels, and missiles, its supporters insist they will not surrender their weapons.”

The Kataeb leader said the war in Lebanon can only end “once all weapons are removed from non-state actors and the State asserts full sovereignty over every inch of its 10,452 square kilometers.” Lebanon, he said, must remain “one unified country that respects everyone,” warning that “any Lebanon where one group dominates another is a Lebanon on the verge of implosion.”

“All wars end in peace,” Gemayel added. “No one can decide to live in a permanent state of war. But peace comes with conditions: Lebanon must not give up any of its rights, and all Lebanese must take part in shaping it.”

He said stability would be easier to achieve “once no one seeks to control the country through foreign backing,” allowing Lebanon to “build internal immunity against external interference.”

Speaking about the Kataeb’s legacy, Gemayel said the party, founded 89 years ago, “continues to pursue the vision it has upheld since its foundation, which is the defense of Lebanon’s sovereignty and the affirmation of its finality as a homeland for all its people.”

He recalled that the party’s early struggles helped establish the Lebanese State, adding that the Kataeb championed neutrality, civil marriage, social security, and labor laws, many of which have since been implemented.

“Everything the Kataeb fought for has either been achieved or embraced by most Lebanese,” he said.

Gemayel stressed that the Kataeb never sought war. “We never wanted to take up arms; we were forced to. Yes, mistakes were made, and we have acknowledged them through self-criticism. But out of 5,513 martyrs, 99% died defending their villages because our fight was one of self-defense.”

“Today, the goal is to free Lebanon from all forms of guardianship,” he said. “Our land was occupied by the Syrians, and they withdrew. The Israelis must now also withdraw from the five remaining points. That requires a political decision that puts Lebanon’s interests first.”

On ties with the Lebanese Forces Party, Gemayel said relations are “good.” He added, “The Lebanese Forces share a political stance close to ours. We must work together toward common goals such as ending the weapons issue and ensuring expatriate voting, even if there is healthy competition between us.”

Asked about the possibility of visiting Syria, Gemayel said, “My conviction is that one day, we should build a relationship from state to state. But we should stop the informal back-and-forth. Syria made the right decision to dissolve the Higher Lebanese-Syrian Council, something Lebanon should have done first.”

Gemayel recounted that during the 2016 presidential election, the Kataeb refused to vote for Michel Aoun despite pressure from what he called the “Christian partnership” arrangement.

“I told the political bureau we had two choices: either join the settlement by voting for Aoun or remain isolated for six years. We chose not to elect Aoun, and some members even resigned over that decision,” he said.

He recalled a meeting with Free Patriotic Movement chief Gebran Bassil, saying, “Bassil told me the Iranian axis had won, so why should he move to the middle? I told him, ‘We cannot go where you are. We have martyrs, including my brother, and the Kataeb DNA cannot tolerate such stances.’”

Gemayel said he has endured many personal losses and no longer allows emotions to cloud his political judgment.

“My only compass remains loyalty to those who sacrificed their lives. I will never compromise on their blood, even at the expense of my position or the party itself,” he said.

He emphasized that the Kataeb does not interfere with the judiciary, even though the justice minister currently represents the party in the government.

Gemayel voiced support for the justice minister’s efforts and urged the State to follow up on the case of Habib Chartouni, convicted of assassinating President-elect Bashir Gemayel.

He said the Kataeb will run in the next elections “based on alliances with those who support the exclusivity of State weapons.”

Gemayel acknowledged that the party is facing financial strain. “We are the poorest party in Lebanon. We have no black funds, no corruption money, and no foreign or regional sponsor,” he said.

Asked about the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, Gemayel said he felt no joy.

“I had a strange feeling. He was part of our daily political life, someone we constantly confronted. I do not rejoice at anyone’s death,” he said.

“But his burial, symbolically, was more important than his martyrdom. It should remind others what Nasrallah represented for his supporters, and just as we respect that, they should also respect what Bashir Gemayel represents for ours.”