As diplomatic efforts intensify to halt the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, Samy Gemayel, leader of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, carries on his regional and international outreach with a clear goal: to prioritize Lebanon’s interests over those of Israel and Iran, both of which are vying for influence on Lebanese soil. Lebanon, a battleground for regional and global powers for over three decades, remains caught in the crossfire of geopolitical rivalries, stretching from Syrian dominance to Iranian influence via Hezbollah.

Patrick Richa, Head of the Kataeb's Media Department, stressed that the party leader Samy Gemayel has been carrying Lebanon’s interests wherever he goes, bringing the country’s concerns to Washington and Paris. The Kataeb Party, Richa explained, views the current conflict as a battle between Israel and Iran over regional supremacy and nuclear ambitions, with Lebanon tragically becoming a proxy battleground.

"It is crucial that this does not turn into an internal Lebanese issue," Richa told the Akhbarkum-Akhbarna online news platform, highlighting the Kataeb's determination to ensure that the interests of Lebanon and its people are not sidelined as the world is currently divided between those supporting Israel and those backing Iran.

Richa stressed that Lebanon’s priority lies in preserving its sovereignty, security, and protection from becoming a pawn in the hands of foreign powers.

"For over three decades, Lebanon has suffered from foreign dominance—from Syria to Iran via Hezbollah—leading to instability, assassinations, wars, prolonged institutional paralysis, and constitutional election deadlocks. 

"This situation cannot continue," Richa warned, emphasizing that the Kataeb Party is focused on addressing Lebanon's internal issues, starting with the exclusive control of arms, the reclamation of State sovereignty, army empowerment, State rebuilding, and the election of a new president.

Richa described Gemayel's talks with U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein in Washington as "extensive", noting that the meeting lasted for an hour and a half, during which  a wide range of issues were thoroughly discussed.

"Of course, there are solutions being worked on by the Americans, though not all of them have been revealed. These focus on the necessity of stopping the war and finding real, tangible guarantees for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in southern Lebanon," Richa pointed out. "Hochstein paid heed to Gemayel’s demands as to setting Lebanon's interests as a priority, and there was considerable responsiveness."

Regarding the possibility of Gemayel undertaking visits to Arab countries, Richa confirmed that, for the moment, there are no such plans.

"Gemayel will continue his European tour to explain his position, but there are no Arab visits planned for now," he said. "The U.S. is the key player in the region at this stage, especially concerning the maritime border demarcation issue, the ceasefire, and the implementation of Resolution 1701. As the U.S. is the intermediary, we must focus our efforts on Washington."

"We have excellent relations with Arab countries, and future meetings will take place, but for now, the focus is on the U.S.," he added.

On the question of the potential impact of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s administration on Lebanon, Richa acknowledged that there is a desire for a solution, as seen in Trump’s message to the Lebanese people calling for an end to the war, the restoration of Lebanon's sovereignty, and the pursuit of serious solutions. 

Although intentions are evident, Richa cautioned that it is too early to judge the practical outcomes of these intentions as noting will materialize until February at the earliest.

Richa further clarified that the solution requires cooperation from all parties involved.

"The solution requires more than one party, and Israel must facilitate the resolution," he said. "Similarly, Iran must ease the situation through Hezbollah, stop its obstinacy, and recognize the interests of Lebanon and its people."

Richa concluded by expressing hope that the solution will address all the issues and not be a temporary fix.

"What we hope for is that any solution will not be temporary and that it will address all the issues away from the logic of excessive force," he said.