Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel announced on Thursday that MP Adib Abdel Massih is joining the party’s parliamentary bloc, framing the move as part of a broader effort to reinforce a unified pro-sovereignty front amid Lebanon’s ongoing political crisis.

At a press conference where Abdel Massih formally declared his alignment with the Kataeb bloc, Gemayel said martyrdom carries “deep significance” for the party, adding that such experiences shape a moral framework that “cannot be compromised.”

“Welcome, MP Adib Abdel Massih,” Gemayel said. “We have worked together and crossed paths at many key moments over the years.”

He described Abdel Massih’s entry into the bloc as a natural continuation of long-standing cooperation, stressing the importance of political cohesion among allies.

“You have always been present with us on every occasion, and today more than ever we need to stand together as a single bloc in the face of the challenges ahead,” he said. “Lebanon can be rebuilt after this crisis. Solidarity makes us stronger, and what we are seeing today is the natural outcome of years of joint work.”

Gemayel also pointed to Abdel Massih’s family legacy, referencing his father’s role in Lebanon’s political history.

“Your father’s martyrdom and name are engraved in the Independence Museum. This is your natural place and your rightful home,” he said. “We stand with the people of Koura, and our presence there will only continue to grow.”

He expressed cautious hope that Lebanon was approaching an end to cycles of conflict and political collapse.

“We hope these are better days ahead, that this will be the last of the wars and the last of the crises, and that we can finally build a country that reflects the dreams of our martyrs,” he said.

Gemayel added that the Kataeb Party aims to help unify parliamentary efforts to break the country’s political deadlock, expressing support for senior state officials and ongoing initiatives.

“We are pleased to work together in the hope that this alignment will help unify efforts in Parliament to overcome the crisis,” he said. “We support President Joseph Aoun, who is steering the ship, and we reaffirm our backing for the negotiations he is leading, as well as for Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.”

He also voiced support for what he described as “bold decisions” aimed at asserting the state’s exclusive control over weapons and restoring full sovereignty.

Gemayel stressed that the Constitution grants the president the authority to engage in international negotiations, adding that such efforts serve the national interest rather than any particular faction.

Marking the anniversary of the May 7, 2008 events, Gemayel said the date remains politically significant because it undermines the argument that armed groups in Lebanon only direct their weapons outward.

“What happened on May 7 showed that Hezbollah’s weapons were used internally,” he said, referring to the clashes in Beirut at the time. “It demonstrated the use of arms inside the country to pressure state institutions and impose internal political equations that had nothing to do with confronting Israel.”

He added that May 7, 2026, should mark, in his words, “the end of May 7, 2008,” describing it as a symbolic closing of what he called a coup attempt through national unity against efforts to “hijack Lebanon’s decision-making and its future.”

Gemayel said the struggle led by the Kataeb Party is national rather than sectarian.

“This is a national struggle for all Lebanese against an armed militia operating under Iranian command,” he said. “This is not a sectarian confrontation. Christians and Muslims are standing together in this battle, and we are also representing many of our Shiite compatriots who are being intimidated.”

He added that a significant portion of the Shiite community shares the Kataeb’s political outlook, saying Hezbollah relies on internal pressure dynamics to maintain control.

“We are fighting in the name of all Lebanese, and in the name of those who cannot speak freely,” he said.

For his part, Abdel Massih said his decision to join the Kataeb parliamentary bloc stems from shared principles and a long-standing personal and political connection.

“My decision to join the Kataeb is not surprising, given the principles and history we share,” he said. “My father used to write for the Kataeb newspaper Al Amal, and he was himself Kataeb. What began as convergence and cooperation is now becoming a real partnership within an organized parliamentary bloc.”

He said the Kataeb Party reflects his core beliefs, particularly on sovereignty, independence, and state-building.

“The Kataeb is a historic party that reflects everything I believe in: sovereignty, independence, love of country, faith in God and family, and a clear national commitment to rebuilding the state, rejecting parallel authorities, and fighting corruption,” he said.

Abdel Massih called for greater unity among pro-sovereignty forces, saying the current moment demands consolidation.

“These forces need to come together at this critical time,” he said. “I found no better framework than the Kataeb, which represents a moderate, sovereign, transparent, and consistent political stance that has never abandoned its principles.”

He pledged to serve as a voice for his constituency in Koura while remaining aligned with the bloc’s decisions.

“I will be the free voice of Koura,” he said. “On national issues, I will abide by the decisions of the Kataeb bloc, which will remain in line with my own positions.”

He also paid tribute to Kataeb leadership and supporters, as well as to his constituency in Koura.

Abdel Massih concluded by recalling that his father was assassinated 38 years ago because of his political convictions.

“He was targeted because he was sovereign and patriotic, because he opposed occupation and defended his principles and his family,” he said. “He stood up to armed groups and paid the price for his beliefs. My father’s dream continues through me. I am here in his name, carrying forward his message—the message of every Kataeb member.”