Kataeb MP Nadim Gemayel on Friday called for the full disarmament of Hezbollah, emphasizing the vital role of the Lebanese Armed Forces in safeguarding the country as tensions rise between Israel and Iran’s regional proxy.

In an interview with LBCI, Gemayel said Kataeb lawmakers had relayed to President Joseph Aoun their concerns about the safety of civilians, particularly in areas hosting displaced populations. He stressed that the State must reassure residents, noting that “only the army can provide credible protection.”

Gemayel argued that the ongoing conflict between Iran and Hezbollah on one side and Israel on the other is not a war for the Lebanese State to fight. He called for the army to withdraw from southern combat zones while implementing the political decision to maintain the State’s monopoly over weapons.

He sharply criticized Hezbollah for advancing Iran’s regional agenda while drawing Israeli forces into Lebanese territory.

“Hezbollah didn’t enter this war to defend Lebanon or liberate the so-called ‘Five Hills,’” Gemayel said. “They joined to support Iran and avenge Supreme Leader Khamenei.”

The MP stressed that any ceasefire must focus first on dismantling Hezbollah’s arsenal.

“If that doesn’t happen, hostilities will resume,” he warned. “The solution is disarming a force that acts on Iran’s orders, not to protect Lebanon.”

Highlighting Hezbollah’s broader regional ambitions, Gemayel dismissed the group’s revolutionary rhetoric as largely symbolic and counterproductive. He noted that its influence in Yemen and Iraq has faltered, and its actions in Lebanon serve as a distraction rather than a genuine national defense.

“All that Hezbollah has done shows that its methods are rooted in bloodshed, destruction, and intimidation,” he said.

On Iran’s involvement, Gemayel criticized the delayed expulsion of the Iranian ambassador and Tehran’s extensive interventions in Lebanon through the Revolutionary Guard and its officers.

“You’re not dealing with a state that follows diplomatic norms,” he said. “Iran has turned Lebanon into an open arena to defend its project and regime. At this point, we have to sever diplomatic ties completely.”

He warned that Lebanon’s sovereignty can only be restored if Hezbollah ends its loyalty to Iran.

“It is not up to us to decide how to deal with Hezbollah; it’s up to them to decide how to deal with the state and the people,” he said. “Our problem is their allegiance to Iran, not their size or political influence.”

Gemayel also praised the resilience of Christian towns in southern Lebanon, noting their determination to maintain their communities and lands despite regional pressures.

“Their loyalty is to the State, and all they want is the army. Israel has left them alone because they aren’t part of Iran’s project. National allegiance and diplomacy protect them,” he said.

He called on Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to clarify his position, urging him to choose between defending state legitimacy or prioritizing the interests of some Shia communities, which could embroil the sect further in conflict.

Concluding, Gemayel declared that Hezbollah’s era of armed resistance is over.

“Naim Qassem has no choice but to surrender. Israel is advancing toward the Litani River, and any political agreement will be made with the Lebanese state after Hezbollah’s capitulation,” he said.