Professor Alain Hakim, a member of the Kataeb Party's Political Bureau and a former minister, warned that Lebanon is no longer a functioning state, saying that the ongoing discussions about the presidency, legislation, and social issues such as education and healthcare are merely distractions aimed at hiding the real issue—that Lebanon is being held captive by external and internal forces.

"We are in a country without a state," Hakim said during an interview with Sputnik. "The state has completely dissolved. The real problem lies in the fact that Lebanon, as a whole, is hijacked."

Hakim pointed out that large parts of Lebanon are beyond the reach of state sovereignty and control, which allows foreign actors to pursue their own agendas on Lebanese soil.

"There are entire areas outside of state control, where neither the government nor the army holds sway. This allows neighboring countries and those with interests that do not align with Lebanon’s to interfere," he added.

Hakim stressed that had the Lebanese army been deployed along the country's borders since 1975, the country might have remained unified.

"However, the abandonment of sovereignty has led to the fragmentation of Lebanese authorities, leaving a vacuum that was filled by foreign armed forces, specifically the military arm of Iran," Hakim explained.

Responding to recent comments by former MP Nawaf al-Moussawi, who said that only a Hezbollah-aligned president would be elected, Hakim said that such statements undermine Lebanon’s constitution and the principle of power-sharing.

Turning to the 2025 budget bill, Hakim argued that it lacks any meaningful direction.

"As usual, it’s just a collection of numbers, devoid of any clear economic, social, or developmental strategy. Over 60% of Lebanese are living below the poverty line. How can we talk about a budget when the state has no strategy to protect its citizens?"

Hakim acknowledged that having a budget at all is positive, but he criticized the lack of transparency and accountability. He suggested that the same criticisms made of previous budgets could easily apply to the 2025 budget, noting that minor adjustments made during budget discussions, such as reducing a figure from one million to 750,000, are hailed as "heroic" but have little impact on the overall picture. 

"I don't want realism; I want the best. We want a state; we want Lebanon," he declared.

He also pointed out that the 2025 budget largely revolves around raising existing taxes on citizens, including salary and transaction taxes.

Turning to the lingering presidential election stalemate, Hakim described the ongoing crisis as another distraction for the public, deploring that the Lebanese people have no say in this matter. 

"Otherwise, we would have had a president a long time ago," he noted. 

Hakim expressed frustration that while external parties have made efforts to help resolve the crisis, the responsibility for electing a president ultimately lies with internal political factions.

"The external forces are trying to find practical solutions, but the real solution is for the internal parties to come together, agree on one or more candidates, and elect a president within the framework of the Lebanese Parliament," he argued.

Hakim stressed that the Kataeb Party does not recognize the need for a purely Christian political front, but rather advocates for a sovereign front that includes all Lebanese.

"In the opposition, we have MPs from all sects, and prominent figures from various communities. This is not a sectarian issue," he stated, adding that the interaction between different regions and communities across Lebanon proves the country's inherent unity.

He called for an end to the dominance of illegal arms and urged the Lebanese people to envision a better future for their children.

"We must get rid of illegal arms that are holding the country back and start thinking about the Lebanon we want for future generations," he said.

Commenting on the situation in southern Lebanon and linking it to regional tensions, Hakim reaffirmed that Lebanon’s issues must be the top priority.

"What have we gained from aligning with external causes like the conflict in Gaza? All we’ve seen is casualties, destruction, displacement, and economic collapse," he said.

Hakim argued that the ongoing conflict in the south serves as a means for Iran to strengthen its position in the Arab and Islamic worlds, as well as in negotiations with the United States.

He also warned that no international financial institution is willing to lend Lebanon any money until its political and economic institutions are restored.

In closing, Hakim reiterated that the Kataeb Party is ready to work with all parties within the framework of sovereignty and statehood.

"We insist on respecting all constitutional deadlines," he concluded, calling for unity and an end to Lebanon’s prolonged political paralysis.