Head of the Kataeb Foreign Affairs Department Marwan Abdallah hoped that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah would mark a definitive end to hostilities.

"The Lebanese people are weary of wars fought for external agendas. This latest conflict began under the pretext of creating a support front, yet it ended with Hezbollah agreeing to a ceasefire," Abdallah said in an interview with Al-Hadath.

He questioned, “What have we gained from this front? The people are now listening to Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee instead of their government or Hezbollah. This shows that we are not in a strong position but have regressed since October 7.”

Abdallah stressed the importance of drawing lessons from this experience, emphasizing that “Lebanese citizens need peace, and the displaced must be returned to their homes.”

In response to a question, he stated: “Security is ensured by the legitimate authorities represented by the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces. Everyone must operate under the banner of legitimacy. While international aid is ready, we must demonstrate our readiness for a long-term agreement and rebuild the state with all its institutions.”

He added: “We have a significant opportunity to achieve lasting peace, resolve this issue once and for all, and build the country for the next century. Otherwise, the cycle of war will repeat every 15 years, plunging us into another spiral of conflict. It is time for everyone to return to the state.”

When asked whether the ceasefire was requested by Hezbollah or Israel, Abdallah remarked: “There’s a saying that ‘talk is cheap,’ but the facts on the ground reveal the true balance of power. What Iran has brought to Lebanon is destruction and division among its people.”

He affirmed that while Israel remains an enemy state, Lebanon’s priority should be its national interest. “The focus should not be on who initiated the agreement but on how Lebanon builds its relationships with friendly nations and regulates its ties with states harboring ambitions in Lebanon, such as Syria and Iran.”

He stressed the need for a decision on allegiance, saying: “Our loyalty must either lie with Iran and foreign powers or with the state. The Shiite community would be far better off as a partner in building the state rather than remaining subordinate to Iran.”

Abdallah concluded by saying: “Post-agreement, all Lebanese must be equal before the law and constitution. The only authority permitted to bear arms must be the legitimate forces represented by the Lebanese Armed Forces and security agencies. Any alternative vision is not just a recipe for regional conflict but also an internal war, and we will stand as an unyielding barrier against it.”