Kataeb MP Elias Hankach said Lebanon has entered a critical phase in which competing parties are seeking to claim victory, but argued that the country's future will ultimately depend on how it navigates the post-conflict period and whether it succeeds in building a sovereign state with exclusive authority over arms.

Speaking to MFM Radio, Hankach said Lebanon can no longer continue living with what he described as the duality of State authority and Hezbollah's independent military structure.

"We are at a stage where every side wants to claim victory," Hankach said. "But the real question is how we deal with this moment. We cannot continue to coexist with Hezbollah's weapons or with the current duality of authority. The focus today must be on building a real state."

Addressing Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, Hankach echoed remarks previously made by President Joseph Aoun, stressing that political legitimacy belongs to the Lebanese State alone.

"As President Aoun said, the Lebanese people are not your people alone," he said. "Legitimate Lebanon is the one that decides. The conflict between legitimacy and illegitimacy is still ongoing, and the solution lies in reaching a peace agreement that guarantees Lebanon's stability and prosperity."

Hankach emphasized that Lebanon had rejected any notion of Iran negotiating on its behalf and insisted that the Lebanese state is the sole legitimate representative of the country's interests.

"Lebanon did not accept Iran negotiating on its behalf in Pakistan," he said. "The official Lebanese State has committed to negotiating for itself in Washington in order to protect the country's interests. We have legitimacy, we have confidence in the president, and the negotiation process will continue."

He acknowledged that any future agreement involving Iran would inevitably have implications for Lebanon, as well as for other countries across the region.

The lawmaker called for the implementation of government decisions related to restricting weapons to state institutions and ending Hezbollah's military and security activities.

"We must carry out the government's decisions regarding the state's exclusive control of weapons and the prohibition of Hezbollah's military and security operations," he said.

While expressing understanding for President Aoun's concerns about potential domestic repercussions, Hankach warned that time is no longer working in Lebanon's favor.

"We understand the president's concern about any internal backlash, but time is no longer on our side," he said. "Hezbollah is calling for the government's downfall when it should be resigning from it instead."

Hankach argued that Lebanon can no longer afford to bear the cost of conflicts and causes that do not serve its national interests.

"Lebanon cannot continue paying the price for causes that are not Lebanese," he said. "All scenarios remain possible, and the majority of Lebanese can no longer live with Hezbollah's ideology and direction."

He also rejected any suggestion of foreign intervention to deal with Hezbollah, responding to comments attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding possible Syrian involvement.

"That is completely unacceptable," Hankach said. "The Lebanese Army alone has the authority to carry out such a role. We decide our own future, and no one else does."

Hankach described President Aoun's anticipated visit to Washington as an important affirmation of Lebanon's legitimacy and an opportunity to place the country's priorities before U.S. officials.

"The visit is an opportunity to reaffirm Lebanon's legitimacy, present Lebanon's priorities and put things back on the right track," he said.

He praised Aoun's performance, saying the president is the legitimate representative of all Lebanese and has worked effectively to avoid internal tensions despite significant political pressure.

"The president represents the Lebanese people," Hankach said. "He is doing an excellent job and is working to avoid internal problems."

He added that Aoun and other supporters of Lebanese sovereignty continue to face accusations of disloyalty and threats, arguing that meaningful change in Lebanon cannot be achieved without sacrifice.

"It is not easy for Lebanon to change without paying a price," he said.

On domestic reconciliation, Hankach renewed his call for a national truth and reconciliation conference, saying wounds from the civil war and subsequent conflicts remain unresolved.

"We proposed a conference for truth and reconciliation because resentment and grievances have remained since the end of the war," he said.

According to Hankach, such a conference would bring together all Lebanese political forces to discuss reforms aimed at strengthening the country's political system and constitutional framework.

"This national conference would bring together all Lebanese parties and seek to repair our system and constitution in a way that serves Lebanon's interests," he said. "The time has come for honesty in Lebanon, for all of us to put our concerns on the table and work together to build a shared vision for a better future."

Hankach concluded by challenging prevailing narratives surrounding victory and resistance, arguing that true success cannot be measured by the human and material losses suffered during conflicts.

"Victory is not when our people are killed or our towns are destroyed," he said. "Victory is when we unite around a Lebanese national position and engage in negotiations that lead to peace, protect the rights of all Lebanese, safeguard our territory and preserve Lebanon's sovereignty."