Kataeb MP Elias Hankach said Hezbollah must eventually transform into a purely political party or risk a confrontation with Lebanon’s State institutions, as he called for an end to the country’s long-standing state of conflict and described the current moment as a “historic opportunity” for Lebanon.

Speaking during an episode of “The Happy Hour Show” on the Polyblog platform, Hankach addressed Lebanon’s political future, relations with Hezbollah, and the possibility of shifting from war and instability toward a more sustainable period of calm.

“Hezbollah must become a political party,” Hankach said. “Otherwise, there will inevitably be a confrontation between Hezbollah and the Lebanese security forces and army, because it has become an organization operating outside the authority of the law.”

Hankach argued that the growing international focus on Lebanon reflects the scale of changes reshaping the region and presents a rare opportunity for the country.

“The President of the United States held a 23-minute press conference focused entirely on Lebanon and even postponed an address intended for the American people,” he said. “Lebanon today is receiving significant international attention, and we need to use that opportunity in a way that serves the interests of the Lebanese state.”

On the conflict with Israel, Hankach said Lebanon must move toward “stability and a permanent ceasefire,” arguing that broader debates about peace agreements, normalization, or future regional alignments are secondary to ending the country’s recurring cycles of war.

“No war lasts forever,” he said. “France and Germany were once bitter enemies, and today they form the backbone of the European Union’s economic system.”

He accused Hezbollah of pushing Lebanon toward destructive outcomes, saying the group’s choices threaten the entire country.

“The problem with Hezbollah is that it seems willing to destroy itself and drag the Lebanese people down with it,” he said. “That is something we cannot accept.”

Hankach added that “the overwhelming majority of Lebanese reject the continuation of the current reality,” insisting that coexistence with Hezbollah is impossible as long as the group maintains its weapons outside state control.

“We cannot coexist with Hezbollah while it continues to hold onto its arms,” he said.

He stressed that the dispute with Hezbollah is political and ideological rather than sectarian.

“Our problem with Hezbollah is not because it is Shiite — quite the opposite,” he said. “Our problem is that it does not reflect the idea of Lebanon.”

According to Hankach, the divide centers on ideology and what he described as a disconnect from Lebanese national identity.

“There are effectively two cultures living inside one country,” he said. “There are students who sing the Lebanese national anthem before class, and others who chant for Khomeini.”

“There are people who respect the law and wait their turn at government offices, and others who drive without license plates or celebrate by firing guns into the air and endangering people,” he added.

Discussing the Kataeb Party itself, Hankach said he sees his political role as serving both the public interest and the party’s broader vision for Lebanon.

“The Kataeb is built on coexistence, openness, and progress,” he said. “Being open to others is a core part of our convictions.”

He also addressed the party’s relationship with the Lebanese Forces, noting that many view the two groups as part of the same political camp, but argued that the Kataeb has distinguished itself through consistency in its political positions.

“The party has rarely shifted its political alignment,” he said.

Hankach also invoked a well-known phrase by the late minister Pierre Gemayel that “quality matters more than quantity,” saying the principle has become central to the party’s approach through its focus on “effective, meaningful work rather than expansion for the sake of numbers.”

He concluded by stressing that Lebanon “is not an isolated island” and broadly aligns with Arab positions regarding Israel, but ultimately must make decisions based on its own national interests.

“For the first time, Lebanon has a real opportunity to become truly independent in its political decision-making,” he said.