The Kataeb party on Tuesday reiterated its refusal of Hezbollah’s Secretary-General speech in which he proclaimed himself the guardian of Lebanon, and the people, land, waters, oil wealth, and legal forces thereof, saying that once again he affirmed that Lebanon’s sovereignty was under his party’s grip.

“Nasrallah is responsible for the delay in the maritime border demarcation file as well as the chaos that is prevailing the country. He is holding sway over the borders, crossings, and Syrian refugees’ file, the Beirut blast investigation, and the upcoming President of the Lebanese Republic nomination waiting on his regional sponsor’s negotiations to end,” read a statement issued by the Kataeb political bureau following its weekly meeting at the party’s headquarters in Saifi.

“The country is plunging in paralysis amid the public sector’s employees weeks-long open-ended strike, while those in power remain dismissive of it.  The ruling elite offers only temporary solutions that do not satisfy neither those on strike nor the Lebanese who are unable to carry on their merest transactions including getting their passports and personal identity documents,” it noted.

“The proposed pay rise was not even sufficient for a transportation allowance and the previously refused promises were neither fair to the entitled personnel nor reformatory for the Public Administration. The latter has become a lethargic body in need of radical surgical interventions to purify it from defilements and employees occupying unnecessary positions,” it said.

“We, as the Kataeb party, believe that the quibbling between authorities was nothing but a way to pass time until the due presidential elections. The latter has become everyone’s motive to get the best out of them, yet what they should really be doing is proceed with a competent government formation.This is the only way to make reforms, put Lebanon back on the right track, and regenerate trust,” it stated. 

The Kataeb party condemned the arrest of the Maronite Catholic eparch and Patriarchal Exarch of Jerusalem, Palestine, and Jordan, Moussa El-Hage at the Naqoura crossing border for unknown reasons until now except that he was performing his ecclesiastical duties.

It also warned against voluntary intimidations and attempts to frame people for political reasons, saying that inspections and audits should be focused on those who cross the borders illegally without any supervision.