Kataeb Political Bureau Member Alain Hakim indicated that any system capable of solving Lebanon's problems is welcome, emphasizing that every system has its pros and cons.

Hakim words came during a seminar on decentralization and federalism organized by 100% Liban Association.

“Centralization has become a very harmful sin for the public sector and the Lebanese State. This system is not working, especially on the societal, political, and developmental levels,” he explained.

Hakim noted that any new system for Lebanon must come with a solution to the problem of Hezbollah’s illegal weapons, saying that the State must have full authority over all Lebanese territories; otherwise, the State and its institutions will remain paralyzed, and the society in a state of destructive conflict.

“Our goal is to achieve good governance and transparency in national work, and many of the means we are talking about aim to achieve these clear objectives,” he went on saying.

“Each of the systems proposed in this seminar has its benefits and drawbacks, but within the framework of the nature of Lebanon and its society. Both federalism and decentralization have their pros and cons, and our goal is to reach practical solutions,” Hakim pointed out.

He explained that decentralization does not require a constitutional amendment, pointing out that “we are witnessing difficulties in appointing first-class employees or the Central Bank Governor”.

“How much more difficult it would be if controversial substantive issues were raised in the political system?” he wondered.

Hakim recalled the decentralization draft Law that was submitted by the Kataeb Party in 2016 to the parliament, saying that it has made progress in the relevant committee.

“This draft law is non-sectarian and based on the concept of citizenship,” he affirmed.

Hakim indicated that administrative and financial independence exists in both systems, federalism and decentralization, emphasizing that any system without sovereignty, accountability, and oversight will not achieve positive results.

'What I am saying is that decentralization is within reach and can be achieved in the next stage where it will be on the table for discussion,” he concluded.