Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel voiced strong support for the Lebanese army’s plan to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal, insisting the State is on an irreversible path to reclaim sovereignty despite ongoing threats from the militant group.

“The Lebanese government is moving forward in reclaiming decision-making, State authority, and sovereignty,” Gemayel said in an interview posted on Al Arabiya and Al Hadath websites on Saturday.

“Step by step, weapons will be placed exclusively in the hands of the Lebanese army. This is what the vast majority of Lebanese people want.”

The comments followed Friday’s Cabinet session, during which Army Commander Rodolph Haykal presented a plan to collect non-state weapons. Hezbollah and Amal ministers walked out in protest, a move Gemayel said showed the group’s refusal to cooperate.

“Every day a warehouse is dismantled by UNIFIL or the Lebanese army,” he said. “The Cabinet, the president, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and President Joseph Aoun are all aligned in this direction. No one can stop this course.”

Commenting on a recent speech by Hezbollah deputy leader Naim Qassem, who warned that attempts to disarm the group could trigger a “Karbala-like battle,” Gemayel dismissed such threats as mere rhetoric.

“So far, it’s just talk,” he said. “Even their motorcades hardly attract a hundred people.”

Gemayel said an overwhelming majority of parliament backs the disarmament plan.

“I asked the blocs who supports placing weapons solely in the State’s hands. Ninety percent of MPs said yes,” he said. “The only bloc opposing it is Hezbollah, which makes up just 10 percent of parliament.”

He added that even Speaker Nabih Berri voiced support when asked directly.

“Today Sunnis, Shiites, Druze, and Christians, all want weapons restricted to the State. Only Hezbollah remains opposed.”

Still, he warned that political stances are rarely guaranteed in Lebanon.

“In 2016, when almost everyone voted for Hezbollah’s candidate Michel Aoun for the presidency, the Kataeb Party stood alone in refusing,” he said. “Positions in Lebanon are volatile. What matters is that when asked publicly, in front of cameras, most MPs said they support exclusive State control over weapons.”

Gemayel said Hezbollah’s base is showing signs of discontent after years of costly involvement in regional conflicts.

“Many Lebanese have paid a heavy price for Hezbollah’s adventures in service of Iran’s agenda—lives lost, homes destroyed, and families displaced into tragic conditions,” he said. “Of course there is discontent.”

He insisted Lebanon’s Shiite community should be a partner in rebuilding the State, but free of Hezbollah’s influence.

“We want Shiites as partners in rebuilding Lebanon—without Hezbollah and Iranian tutelage,” he said.

Asked whether Hezbollah’s arsenal had already been weakened, Gemayel replied: “I don’t know their precise situation on the ground. But clearly their words haven’t translated into action. What matters is that the State doesn’t back down, and that President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam continue their efforts. We stand fully behind them in building a sovereign, independent State.”

Gemayel dismissed speculation about a possible clash between the army and Hezbollah.

“There won’t be a confrontation,” he said. “The Lebanese army is strong, unifying, and supported by everyone. No group in Lebanon dares challenge it.”

Turning to Syria, the Kataeb leader said the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime had been “very positive” for Lebanon, ending decades of occupation, assassinations, and direct interference.

“Its collapse shut down the land corridor used to finance and arm Hezbollah,” he said.

He accused both Damascus and Hezbollah of coordinating past political killings.

“Let’s not forget Hezbollah members were convicted of assassinating Rafik Hariri,” he said. “Assad had a role, but Hezbollah carried it out. They coordinated closely.”

Asked whether his party planned to visit Damascus under new President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Gemayel said no such move was planned but did not rule out future engagement.

“We want ties between states, not between Syria and Lebanese parties,” he said.

He described Syria as still in transition, with unresolved issues facing Christians, Druze, Kurds, Alawites, and governance itself.

“It’s too early to judge,” Gemayel said. “We hope President Ahmad Al-Sharaa can steer Syria toward a state that respects and protects all, and builds good relations with Lebanon.”

Gemayel also said Syria needs reconciliation after years of civil war.

“Communities that fought each other cannot suddenly coexist without real reconciliation and a national conference,” he said. “Syria needs time and bold steps to rebuild unity—just like Lebanon does. We also need reconciliation.”

On Lebanon’s involvement in Syria’s conflict, Gemayel stressed neutrality.

“We opposed those who went to fight Assad, just as we opposed those who went to defend him. Today, we oppose anyone seeking to intervene. Lebanon must not send fighters or take sides,” he said.

Gemayel praised Saudi Arabia for supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty and for helping pave the way to electing a new president.

“Saudi Arabia has stood by Lebanon from the very beginning,” he said. “Today it is a model for modernization, openness, and moderation in the Arab world, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is proving to be an exceptional leader.”

“Lebanon must recover quickly to keep pace with the Arab renaissance,” Gemayel added. “Saudi Arabia wants Lebanon to be free, corruption-free, well-governed, and sovereign—without armed militias. For us, this role is central to building a new Lebanon.”