Lebanese Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel warned that Lebanon will find no relief from Israeli strikes or economic collapse as long as Hezbollah maintains its arsenal, accusing the group of holding the State hostage and blocking any path to recovery.

In an interview on LBCI, Gemayel asserted that the international community has made it clear no financial aid or support will be forthcoming until the issue of Hezbollah's weapons is resolved, a stance he said is crippling a government otherwise capable of reform.

"As long as Hezbollah insists on maintaining and attempting to rebuild its military arsenal, Lebanon will find no relief," Gemayel said. “Every issue has become tied to this matter. There will be no support conferences or aid as long as the arms issue remains unresolved; that is something clearly acknowledged by all international and regional parties visiting Lebanon.”

Gemayel argued that Hezbollah’s actions were self-defeating and driving the nation toward a new catastrophe.

"I don’t understand where Hezbollah is trying to go with this. It is harming both Lebanon and itself," he said. "We are heading toward a new tragedy because it is no longer possible to maintain the status quo regarding its weapons."

Gemayel said Hezbollah’s arms have become a pretext for Israeli strikes and a stumbling block for all progress, including border demarcation, a resolution to tensions in southern Lebanon, and the lifting of Lebanon’s prolonged state of war.

He stressed that Hezbollah’s weapons now serve as justification for Israeli attacks rather than providing Lebanon with any real defense.

“The debate over whether Hezbollah’s weapons can protect Lebanon is now over,” he said.

He accused the heavily armed group of "committing a crime against the country," saying its arsenal now serves as a pretext for Israeli attacks rather than a deterrent. The justification for the weapons, he stated, is "an excuse for Israel to strike Lebanon rather than a source of strength."

Gemayel called for a phased roadmap for disarmament, stressing that any genuine national dialogue must begin with Hezbollah’s agreement to give up its weapons.

“There can be no reconciliation or dialogue as long as one side remains armed,” he said. “If the will is there, the President of the Republic will find the appropriate implementation mechanism.”

He noted that Hezbollah’s refusal to cooperate with UNIFIL and its defiance of state sovereignty have prolonged Lebanon’s vulnerability.

“The moment Hezbollah decides to dismantle its weapons, there will be no need for UNIFIL or any external protection,” he said, reaffirming his party’s long-standing commitment to exclusive state control over arms.

“It’s time to turn the page and commit to the ceasefire agreement,” he added.

Gemayel also reached out to Hezbollah’s grassroots supporters, stating: “I extend a hand to Hezbollah’s base and tell them that we are closer to them than their own leadership. What we are offering is a genuine alternative to Hezbollah; a source of protection that guarantees their safety.”

He revealed that some figures from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, including MP Hassan Fadlallah, Speaker Nabih Berri, and senior Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa, had responded positively to his proposal, calling it constructive and worth building upon.

Despite describing the current government as “the most competent in 30 years,” Gemayel argued that its hands are tied as it cannot attract investment or international support due to the weapons issue.

“The government is doing its best to make progress on key files, but there’s no doubt that the arms issue is blocking funding,” he said.

He commended Justice Minister Judge Adel Nassar for efforts to relaunch stalled investigations, including the Beirut port explosion, the assassination of activist Lokman Slim, and the planned reopening of cases related to the Cedar Revolution’s martyrs.

Still, he acknowledged that Lebanon’s institutions are “starting from scratch,” and that the reform process remains hampered by a deeply entrenched political, financial, and economic lobby.

The Kataeb leader also addressed other pressing issues, calling for the deportation of undocumented displaced Syrians, whom he described as "illegal economic migrants" rather than refugees.

On the issue of Palestinian arms, Gemayel said serious discussions are finally underway, expressing hope for positive developments in the coming days.

Moreover, the Kataeb chief had began the interview by tackling the "outrageously high" cost of airline tickets on Middle East Airlines, calling it a "blatant crime" against Lebanese expatriates and the economy.

Regarding the recent municipal elections, Gemayel said the results were largely driven by local concerns but acknowledged political battles in major cities. He detailed the complex and shifting alliances in districts like Zahle and Metn, clarifying that his party did not ally with Hezbollah in Zahle, contrary to what he described as a political spin by rivals. He maintained that municipal results are not a reliable benchmark for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Looking ahead, Gemayel urged a resolution of Lebanon's conflicts to allow the country to join a "broader Arab peace dynamic." He called for a national conference to address the fears of all communities through truth and reconciliation, culminating in systemic political reform.

"There will be no 2030 without a national conference," he warned, adding that it was "too early to say" whether he would be a candidate in the next presidential election.

Furthermore, Gemayel rejected any delay in parliamentary elections under the pretext of revising the electoral law. 

“No country aspires to be in a perpetual state of war,” he said. “We need to resolve pending issues to open the door for negotiations. Lebanon cannot remain outside the broader Arab peace dynamic.”