MP Nadim Gemayel said on Monday that he carries a greater political responsibility as the son of martyr president-elect Bashir Gemayel, calling on Lebanon’s leaders and army to take decisive steps to strengthen state authority and place all weapons under its control.

Speaking in a special interview with Voice of Lebanon to mark the 44th anniversary of his father’s assassination, Gemayel said being “Bashir’s son and a political figure” carried a dual responsibility.

“My responsibility is greater because I am Bashir’s son and I am involved in politics,” Gemayel said. “He taught us to tell the truth as it is, without sugarcoating it, covering it up or making excuses, and to take the decisions needed to move forward.”

He said that approach should ultimately lead to rebuilding Lebanon and restoring its ability to move forward as a strong State.

Gemayel also urged those running Lebanon to take their responsibilities seriously, questioning several recent decisions and developments.

“Those in charge of Lebanon need to get serious about running the country,” he said, asking why the authorities had not denied Iran’s ambassador honorary residency and why the case involving forged passports had not been investigated.

He also called on the Lebanese army to play what he described as a decisive role in restoring the authority of the legitimate State throughout the country and bringing Hezbollah’s weapons under State control.

“The army has a decisive role to play in extending the authority of the State over every inch of Lebanese territory and ensuring that weapons are held by the State,” Gemayel said, adding that no one should bet on divisions within Lebanon’s national military institution.

Gemayel said his father’s political message was not limited to one community or political camp.

“Bashir Gemayel was the father of all Lebanese,” he said, describing his father’s vision as a realistic project centered on building a strong and genuine State.

He accused Hezbollah of being in a state of denial over the country’s political and security realities.

“We reached out to Hezbollah and called for an internal Lebanese dialogue,” Gemayel said. “But it chose instead to rely on its weapons and its sense of power, leading the country into one war after another, while also engaging in drug trafficking and maintaining an illegal arsenal.”