Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel deemed the referral of an explosives shipment seized at Dahr al-Baydar to Lebanon’s Judicial Council as a key battle ahead, as fears of a renewed regional war grow and political divisions deepen over Hezbollah’s weapons.

Gemayel dismissed Hezbollah’s threats of an “explosion” on the domestic front as an attempt to intimidate Lebanon’s political leaders, arguing that the group has neither an interest in provoking internal confrontations nor the means to do so.

Dahr al-Baydar Case: ‘We Were Not Going to Put Forward a Proposal Without Following Through’

Gemayel recalled that Justice Minister Adel Nassar had initially proposed referring the Dahr al-Baydar explosives case to the Judicial Council. He pointed out that the council has jurisdiction over all matters related to national security and that the case clearly falls within its remit, particularly because Hezbollah itself acknowledged that the weapons belonged to it.

“Everyone knows that if these weapons, which Hezbollah says were intended for fighting Israel, had been used inside Lebanon, they would have posed a threat to national security,” Gemayel said. “We were not going to put forward a proposal without following through on it.”

Asked whether he had raised the issue during his meeting with President Joseph Aoun on the same day that the government postponed a decision on referring the case, Gemayel said the matter had not been discussed, even indirectly.

He noted that Nassar had subsequently spent 45 minutes at a Cabinet meeting making a strong case for referring the file to the Court of Justice and would raise the issue again at the next meeting.

Gemayel Calls for Firmer Action to Enforce State Authority

Although Gemayel is among the main supporters of Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, he acknowledged differences over how quickly and by what means the government should implement its decisions on the state’s monopoly over weapons.

“This is the central issue in today’s political debate,” he said, adding that the so-called sovereignty camp shared the same objectives as the president and prime minister but differed over the methods needed to achieve them.

“We continue to call for greater firmness and stronger action to prevent Hezbollah from exposing Lebanon to existential threats,” Gemayel said.

He added that the country’s top officials might possess information unavailable to other political actors, which could explain their approach. Nevertheless, he stressed that his party would continue pressing for the state to establish its authority and secure its monopoly over weapons “once and for all.”

Army Chief Haykal Will Face a Decisive Test

Addressing Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea’s suggestion that Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal could be replaced, Gemayel said it was too early to assess the army chief’s record.

He argued, however, that Haykal’s performance would be tested when the state genuinely decided to enforce its monopoly over weapons.

“When that day comes, he must either carry out the orders of the president and the authorities to the letter or step down,” Gemayel said.

Hezbollah’s Threats of Internal Clashes Are an Attempt to Intimidate Leaders

Despite Hezbollah’s recent threats of an internal “explosion,” Gemayel said he was not concerned about the prospect of domestic clashes.

He argued that the group had neither an interest in provoking internal confrontations nor the means to do so, describing its warnings as an effort to frighten and pressure Lebanon’s political leadership.

“Anything said on this subject is nothing more than an attempt to intimidate and frighten Lebanese political leaders,” he said. “They should not bow to the militia.”

Hezbollah Could Be Drawn Into a New War if Iran Is Threatened

With tensions rising across the region and fears mounting of a renewed confrontation between Iran and the United States, Gemayel warned that Hezbollah’s involvement would depend largely on Tehran’s needs.

“Hezbollah has already shown that its primary concern is Iran whenever the Islamic Republic is in danger,” he said.

Gemayel said Iran could once again call on Hezbollah for assistance, arguing that supporting the Islamic Republic was central to the group’s purpose.

“This time, the Islamic Republic could well call on it for help. After all, that is why Hezbollah was created,” he said. “This is not a decision the party itself gets to make.”

He nevertheless suggested that Hezbollah might not be asked to intervene if any renewed conflict remained limited in scope.

“Even so, if the conflict remains limited, Iran may not ask Hezbollah to take part,” he said.

Israeli Leadership Change Unlikely to Alter Lebanon Policy

Asked whether a change of prime minister in Israel would affect Lebanon, Gemayel said he did not expect a shift in Israeli policy toward the country, regardless of who emerged as the next leader.

“I do not think it would make any difference. All the candidates hold the same position on Lebanon,” he said.

He called on Lebanese political forces to coordinate their efforts to protect the country, both among themselves and with Aoun and Salam.

“For our part, we must work to protect Lebanon with firmness and intelligence,” Gemayel said. “We need to coordinate among ourselves and with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to achieve this goal.”

He concluded with a warning against political infighting at a time of heightened regional uncertainty.

“Now is not the time for disagreements that play into Hezbollah’s hands,” he said.