Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh underscored the importance of aligning Lebanon's political process with the security and military framework established by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement brokered between Hezbollah and Israel.

In an interview on Al-Arabiya channel, Sayegh emphasized that Lebanon's borders cannot be protected without a stable political system, one that ensures the restoration of democratic institutions, notably through the election of a new president.

"The political process must go hand in hand with the security and military aspects outlined in Resolution 1701 and the recent arrangements between Hezbollah and Israel," Sayegh said. "Lebanon’s borders cannot be safeguarded unless the political decision-making is properly organized, starting with the presidency."

Sayegh further noted that these arrangements are now part of a broader international framework. "

The U.S. president has given assurances to Israel regarding these arrangements," he added. "At the same time, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri has guaranteed that once a ceasefire is established, he will call for a session to elect the president. This has become an integral part of the comprehensive agreement."

Regarding the presidential election, Sayegh expressed confidence that the votes are secured, but emphasized that Speaker Berri holds the key role in ensuring the election takes place.

"Speaker Berri is the guardian of the democratic process," Sayegh said. "He has the authority to convene or hold off parliament sessions and is ultimately responsible for any delays. Therefore, it is crucial that he convenes the parliament and that lawmakers ensure quorum for the election to proceed."

Sayegh also questioned the security rationale behind the delay in convening parliament, pointing out that the argument had only emerged in recent months due to the escalation of the conflict.

"The security argument for not holding a session has only surfaced in the last two months because of the war. But what was the excuse for the two-year delay in electing a president?" he asked.

On the recent meeting between opposition MPs and French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, Sayegh said that they made it clear to the latter that Lebanon needs a president who can fulfill a specific mission required in the new phase that the country has now entered. 

"We told Le Drian that the president must be a president for a mission, just as the government should be a government for a mission," he said. "This is an extension of Resolution 1701, and we have qualified Lebanese figures who have the skills and enjoy national unity to carry out this mission. Lebanon lacks such figures, but what we are working on now is freeing Lebanese political decision-making from the control of illegal weapons. We look forward to a future free from settling old scores, to elect the right president."

Asked whether Iran could influence the presidential election through Hezbollah’s MPs, Sayegh argued that the ceasefire agreement would not have been reached without Tehran's approval.

"Hezbollah does not have an independent will; it is organically tied to Iran. The ceasefire decision is effectively a decision made by Israel on one side and Iran, through Hezbollah, on the other," Sayegh explained. "This also applies to the political process. Iran, having suffered significant losses in the region, now has an interest in stepping back and adhering to international resolutions."

Sayegh also expressed reassurance regarding the ceasefire agreement’s terms.

"We informed Le Drian that we are reassured by the preamble of the agreement, as it clearly references previous resolutions calling for the disarmament of non-state weapons," he said. "This is a binding guarantee in the text, and it does not need further verbal confirmation. However, Le Drian has confirmed this, and we are now encouraged to approach the agreement with confidence."