Advisor to Kataeb Party leader and former Minister Elie Marouni warned that Lebanon remains in a critical state, calling for a national reconciliation initiative to break the political deadlock and rebuild the country’s institutions.

“Lebanon has endured a highly challenging period, including a two-and-a-half-year presidential vacuum and being dragged into a war it had no part in—leading to the country’s devastation,” Marouni said in an interview with Voice of Lebanon. “A bold initiative was necessary to save the nation, and the Kataeb leader was at the forefront of efforts to fill the vacuum, form a government, and put the country back on the right track.”

Marouni underscored the role played by MP Samy Gemayel and the Kataeb Party in pushing for a consensus-based political solution, noting that Gemayel had long advocated for the election of Army Commander General Joseph Aoun as a unifying figure. He also recalled that the party had previously called for the appointment of Nawaf Salam as a transitional prime minister to help steer the country through its crisis.

Marouni stressed that Lebanon’s institutions require significant time and effort to recover, warning that political obstructionism remains a major hurdle.

“Rebuilding the state takes time to resolve outstanding issues, but there are still those who create obstacles, demand their share, and exert pressure to install their affiliates,” he said. “The state must resist such pressures, as national institutions can only be built on merit to keep pace with regional and international developments.”

He also cautioned that Lebanon’s sovereignty remains compromised as long as non-state actors retain military capabilities outside state control.

“A real state cannot exist alongside a ‘mini-state,’ just as a strong army with legitimate authority and sovereignty cannot coexist with illegal weapons,” he said. “Lebanon is under international scrutiny, and aid will only be granted after disarmament and reforms. The state is being tested on its ability to enforce this, but delays in addressing the issue are also delaying aid, reconstruction, and economic support.”

Marouni emphasized that Samy Gemayel’s recent speech in Parliament was aimed at initiating a serious dialogue to rebuild the state, rather than engaging in political power-sharing deals.

“The purpose of MP Samy Gemayel’s speech in Parliament was to call for a conference of truth and reconciliation to build the state—not to return to power-sharing arrangements that prioritize personal interests over the public good,” he explained. “As Kataeb, we believe that truth and reconciliation are the only viable solutions. We have participated in many dialogue initiatives, and when we refused certain discussions, it was due to the absence of an official sponsor—namely, the President of the Republic, rather than a presidential vacuum.”

Marouni pointed to a deep divide among Lebanon’s political forces regarding the country’s future, warning that Lebanon cannot afford further instability.

“There is a stark division among political forces over how to build the Lebanese state: it is either truth and reconciliation or war,” he said. “We reject war because Lebanon cannot withstand further setbacks. Through this initiative, we seek to encourage a return to the state.”

Addressing critics of the Kataeb leader’s position, Marouni urged them to recognize the significance of the initiative.

“Instead of criticizing, you should commend him for taking this bold and forward-thinking step to break the deadlock between Lebanese factions,” he said. “Since violence and war are not an option, this initiative is our only path forward. Let us put our concerns on the table and engage in direct dialogue.”

He concluded by warning that Lebanon is on the verge of collapse and requires urgent economic intervention.

“The country is in intensive care and urgently needs an economic rescue plan,” Marouni said. “The initiative we are advocating presents a crucial opportunity to strengthen national unity and open new, positive prospects for Lebanon on all fronts.”