MP Elias Hankach lashed out at Hezbollah, accusing the group of repeatedly undermining national stability and dragging Lebanon into needless conflicts. He called for exclusive state control over weapons and urged Hezbollah to “Lebanonize” and return to the fold of state institutions.

Speaking in a televised interview on LBCI, Hankach said President Joseph Aoun has been given ample time to defuse tensions and avoid the growing pressure facing Lebanese officials.

“Hezbollah might be able to play clever once, but it cannot outmaneuver the system dozens of times,” he said.

He criticized the group’s duplicity, saying that “Hezbollah cannot speak in two languages by signing agreements and later having its secretary-general backtrack. Some of its supporters even say: ‘Whoever disarms us, we’ll rip out their souls.’”

While acknowledging that Israel is an “unreliable enemy” and a “relentless war machine,” Hankach asked, “What’s the alternative? Should we continue with arrogance while political assassinations happen every day without anyone speaking up?”

Hankach underscored the need for Hezbollah to recognize that the only force capable of protecting Lebanon is its national army.

The MP warned that Hezbollah is risking a new conflict.

“We’ve sounded the alarm countless times before. The first to pay the price were Hezbollah’s own supporters,” he said. “We must come to terms with the fact that we are all equal. What Hezbollah has led the Lebanese people into has yielded nothing and proved it cannot protect either itself or Lebanon.”

He pointed to the 2013 Bir al-Abed bombing as a turning point when Hezbollah turned to the state for protection.

“That moment proved no one is greater than the state,” he said.

Hankach cited U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack’s recent comments, noting that Washington could not provide guarantees because “Israel acts on its own.” Still, he emphasized that Lebanon must do its part.

“Israeli occupation, aerial violations, assassinations, and drone activity are all unacceptable; they constitute brazen breaches of our sovereignty,” he said. “But we must rise to the occasion and prove to the world that Lebanon can function through civilian and diplomatic channels.”

He called for reestablishing ties with Lebanon’s traditional allies, saying, “No country can survive under the shadow of weapons, be it Hezbollah’s or the Palestinians’.”

Hankach warned that the situation may deteriorate further.

“The Americans may not be able to stop the wave of assassinations. We could be heading toward worse. Even former PSP leader Walid Jumblat fears two major hits. Are we really about to repeat the same mistakes?”

According to Hankach, Hezbollah must understand that Iran has abandoned it.

“Tehran is negotiating with what they once called the ‘Great Satan.’ Hezbollah must recognize the new reality. Assad is losing ground, Iran is taking hits, and the region is in turmoil. It’s time for Hezbollah to Lebanese itself. It can no longer blackmail the Lebanese people.”

“We are at a crossroads: either the state reasserts its authority, or we fall into a Somali-style collapse. We must not let it come to that.”

Hankach said the time has come to assert exclusive state control over weapons and urged Hezbollah to make that move voluntarily.

“The problem is with the party. National unity is threatened because 10 percent of the population is holding the other 90 percent hostage.”

“If Lebanon chooses stability, it could become a hub for tech innovation, a regional hospital, a center for academic excellence, and a revived shipping and transit point through the Port of Beirut.”

He added that Lebanon’s strategic port, with the region’s deepest basin, could once again serve as a transit hub and driver of economic growth.

“Reconstruction could activate 38 free-market sectors alongside needed judicial reforms.”

Hankach commended Justice Minister Adel Nassar for what he described as “remarkable” efforts over the government’s first four months.

“When have we ever seen a minister prosecuted or an MP’s immunity lifted?” he asked. “For 30 years, that never happened. It used to be Wafiq Safa threatening the judiciary.”

He called Nassar’s work “tremendous,” adding that “the minister moved quickly and forcefully, without leaks about the judicial appointments, and worked on the law to ensure judicial independence, which we hope will be passed soon.”

On the 2020 Beirut port explosion, Hankach voiced continued support for Judge Tarek Bitar’s investigation.

“We don’t even know Judge Bitar, but we are determined to uncover the truth. We lost people in this disaster. I offer my condolences once again to the victims’ families.”

Hankach renewed his criticism of the current electoral law that deprives Lebanese expatriates of the right to vote for all 128 MPs.

“The biggest injustice against our expats is denying them that right,” he said. “They are not ATMs; they are citizens not exposed to domestic political pressure.”

Looking ahead to Thursday’s legislative session, Hankach said parliament will discuss bills on judiciary reform and banking sector restructuring. He commended the work of Kataeb’s legislative team, especially Lara Saade and Charbel Rustom, calling it “outstanding.”

“Whether in financial or judicial matters, reforms must also be matched with economic reforms,” he said. “I have full confidence in the minister and judiciary. The Administration and Justice Committee has been working hard. Even if opinions differ, clarity is emerging.”

He added that the reform push sends a message to the international community, stressing that “Lebanon is pursuing a comprehensive reform agenda."

"Recovering depositors’ funds would be just the beginning," he said.

When asked about the public’s disappointment at the slow pace of change, Hankach argued that “things had already begun moving with the election of President Joseph Aoun and the formation of PM Nawaf Salam’s government."

"Of course, we dream of making Lebanon the Switzerland of the East, but reality is more complicated.”

He said progress takes time, noting that Lebanon had no telecom regulatory body for 23 years.

“I once proposed creating a Ministry of Technology, and now it exists. I salute Minister Kamal Chehadeh. Some ministers are doing outstanding work, but it just takes time.”

Hankach echoed Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel’s call for a national reconciliation conference.

“Perhaps it’s time we sit down and air our concerns. We may even come out of it with constitutional amendments. We must not fear each other.”

Asked how to reassure Lebanon’s Shiite community, Hankach said that “pluralism is Lebanon's only true wealth."

"We must preserve it. We’re seeing real engagement from various communities, including the Shiite community.”

“It’s time to return to the fold of the Lebanese state," Hankach concluded.