Head of the Kataeb's Intellectual Department Rafic Ghanem stated that Lebanon has been in a state of anticipation, apprehension, and fear about its future since April 14, 1975, continually awaiting a solution and salvation.

"Lebanon remains at the heart of this complex problem, despite the Taif Agreement being a significant milestone in Lebanese history. If implemented, it could have ended this perpetual state of waiting, but it remains unimplemented to this day," Ghanem said in an interview with "Al Yaum" television.

He pointed out that in 1975, the "Palestinian factor" was the cause of the events in Lebanon, leading to what is commonly referred to as the civil war.

He noted that calling it a civil war is inaccurate because it was the result of conflicts and issues among the Lebanese caused by the Palestinians' misjudgment of Lebanon and its reality.

Ghanem emphasized the vast difference between 1975 and 2024.

"The Cairo Agreement was signed under certain difficult conditions, possibly against the will of the Lebanese people, who aspire to peace and to keep the specter of war away from Lebanon. The Lebanese authorities at the time couldn't surpass these conditions and emerge without signing the Cairo Agreement, which was not the best solution and did not represent the will of a significant portion of the Lebanese people," he explained.

Regarding the ongoing conflict in the south, Ghanem questioned, "Was it necessary to drag Lebanon into this war?"

He expressed his sympathy, solidarity, and respect for what is happening in Gaza and for the residents and civilians there, condemning Israel, which lacks humanitarian and ethical standards and violates international legal norms.

He said, "There was no necessity to transfer this war to Lebanon, which exposed the south to destruction."

Commenting on Hezbollah's assertion that this war is not just to support Gaza but that there is information suggesting Israel was planning a preemptive strike on Lebanon after finishing the war in Gaza, Ghanem stated, "All these are hypotheses and not certainties. Every party involved in a conflict feels compelled to provide justifications."

He affirmed, "We reject exposing Lebanon to destruction and the risk of war. We sympathize with our people in the south, and what matters to us is not exposing them to death and displacement," emphasizing that "the south is at the heart of Lebanon and has never been separate from it."

He noted that they "disagree with Hezbollah on what is happening in the south. We do not want to confront Hezbollah but rather discuss our realistic view with the Lebanese people about what is happening and our fear of a full-scale war."

He said, "Hezbollah's involvement in the Gaza war exposed the country to danger without benefiting Gaza, and for us, it was unnecessary."

Ghanem highlighted that "within the country, there are different viewpoints, and there is no enmity between us and Hezbollah, but rather disagreements and different perspectives on what is happening on the regional and Lebanese scene."

He said, " We, as Lebanese, must think together and respect each other's feelings and positions to reach common ground and consider it a solution to the Lebanese issue, and then clearly present it externally to impose our unified will and position."

He added, "We must use reason and true patriotism present in all Lebanese to save this nation. Let's all search for the true salvation for Lebanon and its revival."

Ghanem stated that "the decision of peace and war should be solely in the hands of the Lebanese State," saying, "Lebanon is not an open arena; rather, there is a state, a constitution, and laws that we all must respect and adhere to, and the role of defending Lebanon should be restricted to the Lebanese army."

He added, "The threats from Israel are not only towards the south but extend to all of Lebanon. The martyrs of the south are the martyrs of Lebanon."

He questioned, "Why don't we strive to strengthen and enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese army?"

Ghanem emphasized that "Hezbollah must avoid exposing Lebanon to more risks and to a destructive war as is happening in Gaza."

He said, "The important thing is to have a strong political and diplomatic resistance externally to defend what is happening in Gaza to avoid destruction and ruin, but this does not mean that supporting Gaza should come at the expense of Lebanon and its safety."

Regarding the role of the opposition in confronting Hezbollah's choices, Ghanem considered that "We must deal with Hezbollah as a Lebanese party with external affiliations, but let Iran defend itself within its own country."

He questioned, "Why do we always have to wait for the American, French, and Iranian elections, among others, to determine Lebanon's policy and fate? We are not obliged to link ourselves to the destinies of other countries."

Ghanem deemed that "accusing us of treason and betrayal is completely unacceptable, as our priority has always been Lebanon and the interest of its people."

He called on Hezbollah "to return to its Lebanese identity, respect our perspective, and the will of a significant portion of the Lebanese people who reject the war it has dragged us into."

He pointed out that "the beginning is in fully implementing the Taif Agreement and achieving the abolition of political sectarianism, applying its essence, which balances the Lebanese in power-sharing," considering that "the system in Lebanon needs a new perspective and thought, and we must develop it without destroying it."

Ghanem affirmed that "implementing the administrative decentralization we demanded is an essential part of solving the Lebanese crisis, and we are not inclined to propose federalism."

He said, "What is needed is a Lebanese State that organizes its administration and facilitates the lives of the Lebanese to ensure administrative and social stability."

He pointed out that "what we demand today is that deputies go to the parliament and elect a president according to what the Lebanese constitution stipulates."

He said, "The constitution does not stipulate electing a president through dialogue. We are not for a constitutional dialogue within the parliament to reach an election of a president, but rather for discussions to reach certain agreements."

He added, "We want a president who does not betray the Lebanese people, a strong president who represents Lebanon, works for the interest of all Lebanese, and is capable of accommodating all orientations and making decisions that serve the Lebanese interest."

Ghanem pointed out that "there is a positive Lebanese trend towards electing a president," confirming that "this role is the responsibility of the Lebanese deputies, not foreign countries."

Ghanem concluded by affirming, "Lebanon is not devoid of statesmen, and there are many capable figures who can play a strong role as president of the republic."