Kataeb MP Elias Hankach paid tribute to former President Amine Gemayel on the anniversary of his election as head of state, recalling his decision to launch negotiations with Israel more than four decades ago in an effort to bring peace and stability to Lebanon.

In a post on X, Hankach said Gemayel had sought to end Lebanon’s cycle of conflict and prevent further bloodshed, destruction and collapse.

“On the anniversary of Sheikh Amine Gemayel’s election as president, we pay tribute to him for launching negotiations with Israel 43 years ago and for seeking to bring peace and stability to Lebanon,” Hankach wrote.

“He wanted to break Lebanon out of its state of perpetual war, spare the country death, destruction and collapse, strengthen the Lebanese army and extend state authority across its entire territory,” he added.

Gemayel was elected president of Lebanon in 1982, during the country’s civil war and following Israel’s invasion of Lebanon that year. His presidency included negotiations between Lebanon and Israel aimed at reaching an agreement on security arrangements and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.