Patrick Richa, a member of the Kataeb Party’s political bureau, said the opposition will stand behind the Lebanese government’s decision to place all weapons under the State's exclusive control, insisting that Hezbollah’s political dominance must be challenged and its threats rejected.

Speaking to Annahar, Richa said the Kataeb’s position is rooted in “refusing to give in to fear and freeing the judiciary from the grip of political control that Hezbollah has imposed.”

On the role of the Justice Ministry, he underlined the need to distinguish between the ministry and the judiciary itself, arguing that what truly matters is ensuring an independent environment for judges.

“What matters is to provide judges with a proper environment to carry out their duties away from political interference, without fabricated cases, and without reopening files against Hezbollah’s opponents,” he said. “This has not happened for some time despite the pressure faced by many opposition figures. It is equally important that Hezbollah stop threatening journalists every time someone voices an opposing view.”

He also drew a clear line between Hezbollah and Lebanon’s Shiite community, urging Shiites to cut loose from Iran's grip. 

“We have called on the Shiite sect to liberate itself from Iran, because this community must realize it is being dragged into wars of attrition,” he said. “Their regions are being emptied, and the community needs to take a hard, critical look at who brought it to this point.”