Kataeb Political Bureau member and former Minister Alain Hakim called for a bold and urgent shift in national policy, warning that Lebanon’s continued paralysis stems from years of external domination and internal inaction. In an interview with Transparency News, Hakim said the country has long become accustomed to the ambitions of neighboring powers, first Syrian, then Palestinian, and now Iranian.

“It’s not surprising that this country is paralyzed,” Hakim said. “For decades, it was under foreign tutelage, but the responsibility is ours. There is a massive gap between words and action.”

Hakim stressed that Lebanon’s current challenges require courage and decisive leadership, particularly on issues of sovereignty.

“What we need today is bravery and clarity in addressing sovereign matters,” he said.

Commenting on recent remarks by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, Hakim said the diplomat was right to push Lebanese officials to act rather than surrender to the status quo.

“Barrack’s comments are justified. He is urging us to work, not to give up, while we remain helpless in the face of what’s happening in the region,” Hakim said. “His remarks on Syria carry a clear message aimed at alerting Lebanese leaders to the danger of the current trajectory.”

Hakim warned that time is no longer on Lebanon’s side.

“We must reach safe ground as soon as possible. The clock is ticking, and that presents a major risk. We need to rebuild the Lebanese state on new foundations.”

Hakim predicted that the 2026 parliamentary elections would bring significant changes, especially after irregularities in the previous cycle.

“There are now serious demands, starting with the right of expatriates to vote for all 128 MPs,” he said. “Political, national, and sovereign awareness has grown among Lebanese citizens, especially those living abroad.”

Hakim underlined that elections and public appointments are not political victories but duties of the state.

“The government’s job is to carry out municipal elections and appointments. These are obligations, not achievements.”

He also rejected the idea that Lebanon is uniquely incapable of addressing armed non-state actors.

“The Palestinian Authority asked Hamas to surrender its weapons and return to political life. In Turkey, the Kurdish party handed over its weapons to Turkey and Iraq,” he said. “So is Lebanon a special case?”

On financial governance, Hakim said appointments in the banking and financial sectors must be backed, as they are key to restoring institutional credibility.

“Rebuilding the Central Bank must be rooted in three principles: governance, transparency, and sound management,” he said.

He noted that the new financial structure being implemented must reflect these same principles.

“The Central Bank Governor is committed to independence, restoring balance, and launching the necessary mechanisms to address the financial crisis,” Hakim said.

He pointed to reforms such as a Financial Gap Law and updated Bank Secrecy Law as essential tools for accountability and recovery.

“We need to define depositors’ rights, banks’ rights, and the Central Bank’s rights vis-à-vis the state,” Hakim said. “If these are the goals, then everyone must cooperate. Temporary fixes will only drain citizens, institutions—and the Central Bank itself.”

Hakim criticized the failure to implement a Capital Control Law, which he described as “one of the top priorities.” He also warned that the state has yet to address its Eurobond obligations. Still, he voiced optimism about Lebanon’s long-term prospects.

“Confidence in Lebanon will return quickly because it has vast potential: gold reserves, foreign currency, diaspora wealth, and state assets.”

Commenting on Circular 169, Hakim said its goal was to establish equality of treatment.

“It aims to replace capital controls by treating all depositors fairly, rather than prioritizing those with financial clout.”

He warned, however, that time remains a critical factor in any economic recovery.

“We are in a crisis that cannot be resolved without bold decisions. Time is the key variable in economics,” he said.

On the issue of expatriate voting, Hakim said all sovereignty-minded political forces are in agreement.

Hakim cautioned that without addressing the weapons issue and the size of the parallel economy, estimated to account for between 10% and 45% of national activity, Lebanon would remain stuck on global financial watchlists.

“We will not exit the grey list no matter how commendable the efforts by the Ministry of Justice or others may be,” he said. “The solution must be comprehensive.”

“If Hezbollah truly understands what serves the interests of the Lebanese people and the Lebanese state, it must hand over its arms to the Lebanese Army, and do so immediately," he said.