Patrick Richa, Head of the Kataeb Party’s Media Department, shed light on an event the party is organizing this Saturday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Lebanese resistance. He described the Lebanese resistance as a "continuous journey" and a defining chapter in the country’s history.

“This is a moment to reaffirm the meaning of that day and to tell the truth about what really happened during that period—especially for the generations that don’t know the facts,” Richa said in an interview with Voice of Lebanon radio.

The upcoming event, he explained, will honor Kataeb martyrs and fighters and will feature a keynote address by party leader Samy Gemayel. The speech is expected to build on Gemayel’s latest parliamentary remarks, drawing comparisons between the past and present while warning against repeating the mistakes that once plunged the country into war.

“Lebanon emerged from conflict with painful but important lessons,” Richa noted. “The Kataeb has a responsibility to share the experience it lived and earned through struggle. We must help the country avoid further descent into violence.”

The event, Richa added, aims to encapsulate this half-century of experience into an hour-and-a-half program designed “to bear witness and open new horizons for the future.”

Reflecting on the origins of the 1975 war, Richa said the outbreak of violence on April 13 was the culmination of seven years of mounting tensions.

“That day marked the breaking point. Everything that happened afterward was the result of unresolved issues that had been building for years,” he said.

He emphasized that not all Lebanese shared the same national commitment as the Kataeb Party did at the time.

“Not everyone believed in putting Lebanon first the way the Kataeb always did,” he said. “Those who once supported armed Palestinian actions eventually engaged in self-reflection. We’re not trying to reopen wounds. But the Kataeb remains the only party that continues to call for both truth and reconciliation.”

He recalled a landmark moment in 2006, when the Kataeb hosted a conference with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), marking an attempt to turn the page on past grievances.

“There was an implicit apology from the PLO for the violations that occurred,” he said.

Richa criticized those who, in the past, sought to resolve the Palestinian cause at Lebanon’s expense, noting that the Kataeb had made sacrifices to generate sympathy for the Lebanese cause and to convince both Arab and Western audiences of its legitimacy.

Looking back on key milestones since 2005, he said the Lebanese people ultimately came together in Martyrs’ Square in what would become known as Lebanon’s “second independence” movement.

“There was a sense of shared national understanding. Even those who once accused us of isolationism started echoing our slogan: ‘Lebanon First,’” he said. “Most of those who once called for isolating the Kataeb are gone after 50 years, while the Kataeb remains, because what we demanded was right.”

Richa reiterated that the Kataeb was born out of a profound love for Lebanon—its land, its people, and its sovereignty.

“The resistance began as a Lebanese movement and later continued as a Christian one,” he said, noting that it evolved over time from armed struggle into civil resistance, most notably through the student movement against Syria’s occupation.

“We stood firm. We resisted the logic of illegitimate arms with words, positions, and perseverance,” Richa said. “Resistance is an ongoing journey until a sovereign Lebanese state is restored across all its territory. That struggle continues today—as long as Hezbollah clings to its weapons and parallel state, our political resistance will persist. We will keep calling for a return to the state’s authority.”

He reiterated party leader Samy Gemayel’s call for a national reconciliation and truth-telling conference—one based on mutual recognition and respect.

“This conference must eventually happen. Whether sooner or later, it’s inevitable,” Richa said.

He warned that Hezbollah is increasingly isolating itself from the broader Lebanese political fabric by refusing to engage in genuine dialogue—dialogue that must begin with the surrender of its weapons.

“During the war—and even before—we advised them not to get involved. After the conflict, we called on them to disarm. Now they’re seeking political concessions without clearly stating their intentions,” he said. “Our call for truth and reconciliation is not a partisan initiative—it’s a national one. We’ve placed it in the hands of the President of the Republic and official institutions. But before any conference can take place, Hezbollah must first disarm, cut foreign ties, and accept equal standing with all Lebanese.”

Richa said the party supports President Joseph Aoun’s efforts to engage Hezbollah in direct dialogue—if the objective is to achieve results, not provoke confrontation.

“If President Aoun believes dialogue can produce meaningful outcomes, then we’ll support him,” he said. “But let’s be clear—the reconciliation and truth-telling conference is unrelated to the weapons issue.”

Richa underscored that the Lebanese Army must remain the sole defender of the country and neutral in domestic affairs.

“Defense strategy is a matter for the Cabinet, to be executed by the Ministry of Defense,” he said. “What we’re proposing is entirely reasonable.”

He reminded listeners that following the Taif Agreement, all militias surrendered their weapons—except Hezbollah, which was left in charge of the southern front.

“What began as an exception has become the rule,” he warned. “Light weapons circulating inside the country are more dangerous than heavy ones. All arms must be surrendered—no more delays or excuses.”

He added that the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty depends on disarming all non-state actors and rebuilding trust in the state and its security institutions.

“For the state to assert itself, all weapons must be handed over. The prestige of the military and security forces must be restored. Only then can we begin to rebuild,” Richa said. “If Hezbollah refuses to disarm, then it’s up to the state to assume responsibility. We’re not setting deadlines, but we will not accept the current status quo to continue indefinitely.”

Addressing the country’s political structure, Richa said the question of reform is always on the table—but that true reform requires first addressing the roots of sectarianism.

“We must acknowledge sectarianism if we want to reduce its impact,” he said. “Denying its existence won’t make it disappear.”

He firmly rejected comparisons between today’s crisis and the events of 1975.

“Today’s crisis is internal. The war back then wasn’t a civil war in the classic sense—it was a confrontation between Lebanese defending their homes and armed Palestinian factions already operating inside Lebanon. It became a war of resistance,” he explained.

Richa also strongly opposed any permanent resettlement of Palestinians in Lebanon, reiterating that the right of return is non-negotiable.

“Tampering with Lebanon’s demographic balance is playing with fire,” he warned. “Governments and public opinion may shift, but institutionalizing resettlement through quotas and sectarian deals is a direct threat to our stability. We will never allow Lebanon’s dignity—or ours—to be compromised.”

On a personal note, Richa spoke about what April 13 means to him.

“I was born and raised in Ain El Remmaneh—a place steeped in the spirit of resistance. I’m proud of the sacrifices of those who came before me,” he said. “But I hope my son never has to live through what we did. We resisted in our own way, and I never want him to carry a weapon.”

“We’re proud of our struggle. What happened is a badge of honor for every resistance fighter. The 1975 war preserved our presence and our regions. We’re not ashamed of that—but we are fully committed to ensuring it never happens again,” Richa concluded.