Kataeb MP Elias Hankach said Lebanon must break free from its six-decade cycle of conflict with Israel and enter a new phase of stability led by the official Lebanese State, stressing that the form of future negotiations is less important than their ultimate objective.

“The format of negotiations, whether direct or indirect, is just a detail,” Hankach told Al-Modon. “We’ve already held talks on many issues, such as maritime border demarcation and through the ceasefire mechanism committee. What matters is not the method but the goal.”

He said Lebanon’s goal should be to emerge from the “state of perpetual war” it has endured for nearly sixty years.

“There is no such thing as an eternal war,” he said. “It is in Lebanon’s best interest to preserve its political stability, and the cornerstone of that is the armistice agreement. Continued military confrontations only keep us trapped in an endless cycle of war that is unequal and unbalanced with the enemy.”

Hankach emphasized that Lebanon cannot afford to remain isolated from regional developments, warning that its inability to plan for the future or rebuild stems from its permanent state of conflict.

“It’s unreasonable for us to stay outside everything that’s happening in the region, unable to plan ahead, develop our army, or rebuild because we’re always at war,” he said.

He called for Lebanon to enter a new stage, one defined and led by its legitimate authorities, urging unity behind the country’s top leadership.

“We need to move into a new phase outlined by the official Lebanese state,” Hankach said. “We must all stand together behind the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister to achieve this goal.”