Kataeb Party chief Samy Gemayel called on the Lebanese state and army to prevent Hezbollah from opening a new front in the widening confrontation between Iran and Israel, warning that any such move would drag a crisis‑hit Lebanon into fresh devastation.

Gemayel hosted Frem at his office in Bikfaya, with fellow Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh joining the talks. The three discussed ways to “shield Lebanon from the regional storm” and condemned a statement earlier this week by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, who said the group is not neutral in the current conflict between Iran and Israel and is part of it.

“We categorically reject this,” Gemayel told reporters after the meeting. “No one has the right to pull Lebanon into another reckless adventure. We were already dragged into a war to defend Gaza and saw how that damaged our country.”

Gemayel appealed to President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the Lebanese Army to use “all available means” to block any attempt by the Iran‑backed group to ignite hostilities from Lebanese soil.

“For the first time, the state must do more than issue statements,” he said. “It must prove it is a sovereign authority and stop any front from being opened in any direction.”

While reiterating support for Lebanon’s right to self‑defence, Gemayel argued that true neutrality meant staying out of conflicts “that have nothing to do with us.”

“Lebanon is devastated, our economy in ruins, and our people are struggling to rebuild,” he said. “It is time to focus inward and protect our homeland.”

Gemayel praised the country’s newly elected leadership, saying it must seize the moment to repair institutions, enact reforms and pursue “a genuine reconciliation among Lebanese.”

“What stands in the way are unilateral statements by factions that still believe they can decide matters of war without consulting the state.”

Asked whether Hezbollah had shown any sign of mobilising, Gemayel expressed cautious optimism: “We hope they have learned from recent experience and will think of their own people before dragging the country into another calamity.”

For his part, Frem described his meeting with Gemayel as a “coordination session” and said Lebanon was living through “historic moments” as violence flares elsewhere in the region.

“We must have the wisdom not to plunge into an adventure that could threaten Lebanon’s very existence,” he said.

Frem warned that Qassem’s remarks would provide a justification for Israel to wage a new war on Lebanon, expressing fear over the Lebanese entity. 

The two lawmakers pledged further consultations in the coming weeks as they press for a national consensus on strict neutrality and institutional reform.