Kataeb Lawmaker Selim Sayegh pointed out that something serious is underway, and the ceasefire agreement has progressed significantly.

According to him, Israel has received the guarantees it sought, and Lebanon’s allied countries believe that the war is not an end in itself; rather, the goal is to secure borders and achieve a sustainable solution. If this can be achieved through diplomacy, there’s no reason to continue the war.

In an interview with OTV, Sayegh noted that the current developments reflect a return to rationalizing the conflict.

"The situation had spiraled into an ideological struggle, with each side pursuing a "do-or-die" mentality to reach Jerusalem at any cost, creating an existential conflict on both sides. There is now a consensus on the need to rationalize the conflict, which brings a role for political and diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting solution for Lebanon," he stated.

Sayegh argued that the southern region is key to achieving a lasting solution, and protecting the south and northern Israel isn’t about border security measures alone, but rather about political decisions made in capitals.

He believed Lebanon’s protection lies in safeguarding Beirut's political decision-making power.

He pointed out that Parliament has not been informed of the agreement’s terms, and it’s the responsibility of House Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati to ensure transparency, as their actions lack legitimacy.

He added, "They should inform the nation’s MPs through a necessary session on these developments, as they are binding Lebanon regardless of Lebanese public opinion. This isn’t merely an issue between a party and Israel, as the war has devastated Lebanon, displaced a third of the population, impoverished Lebanese citizens, and affected everyone. It’s not a minor issue or a side battle."

Sayegh observed that Speaker Berri acts as a mediator, yet his opinion was not sought in decisions to accept or reject the ceasefire’s principle. He merely conveys decisions made in Tehran, without possessing any agency of his own, and is bound by Iran’s decisions and the mechanisms for implementing them.

Sayegh added, “We are now transitioning from Iranian to international tutelage. Unfortunately, the Lebanese people have become fuel for Iran. This agreement shifts Lebanon from Iranian control to international oversight, and shame on the Lebanese negotiators, as we had to learn about the agreement from Israeli newspapers. Why don’t they disclose the agreement to the Lebanese people?”

He continued, “This issue is beyond any Lebanese politician because this war transcends Lebanon and its local factions. Who would dare to target Tel Aviv and Beirut without either American or Iranian backing?”

He emphasized that “Israel is negotiating with Hezbollah, while Berri plays the role assigned to him by Hezbollah and the Americans. He cannot speak on behalf of Parliament, as we have not authorized him. Constitutionally, he is not the one to negotiate; this responsibility lies with the President. Therefore, the agreement, however significant, is now unconstitutional in Lebanon unless we amend the constitution and elect Berri as president.”

Sayegh stated, “Speaker Berri has shown no respect for us, the MPs, nor for the Lebanese people, expecting us simply to rubber-stamp the agreement.”

He added, “Half of the MPs have left the country due to internal threats of armed intimidation. Hezbollah is not just a militia; it is a mafia that threatens with weapons and directs them at Lebanese citizens. Their accusations of Zionism against us are a veiled threat, effectively sanctioning violence against us.”

Sayegh stated that the best response to the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Al-Akhbar newspaper Ibrahim al-Amin's article, "Yes...We Are Not Like You!" and his accusations of colonialism is a single question: "Why did you agree to a ceasefire agreement that positions the U.S. as both a sponsor and guarantor for enforcing the ceasefire?"

He continued, "When Ibrahim al-Amin, or anyone who opposes war, accuses me of betrayal, let me tell you that it’s your policies that don't resemble mine."

He added, "Speaker Berri does not get to interpret laws and international resolutions as he wishes. UNSC Resolution 1701 encompasses Resolutions 1559 and 1680."

Sayegh argued that Hezbollah's extensive missile arsenal reveals the scale of Iran's investment in Lebanon, emphasizing that his priority is not the extent of pain inflicted on Israel, but rather the wellbeing of his own people.

He emphasized that the "Army, People, and Resistance" formula is destructive and does not protect Lebanon, as it did not prevent the enemy from destroying Dahiyeh, inflicting devastation across the country, starting with Hezbollah’s Secretary-General. This has solidified the belief that Lebanon’s stability rests solely on the power of legitimate state authority, embodied by the Lebanese Armed Forces. The conflict has proven that the resources mobilized by the resistance, if allocated to the army, would have significantly strengthened its position today, especially as there is no national consensus around the resistance, leaving it isolated.

Sayegh pointed out that Israel’s optimism about a ceasefire is due to internal factors, as its army cannot continue indefinitely without a timeline, and the return of settlers will occur through political means, not under fire.

He added, "We hope the ceasefire holds, as we want no weapons other than those of the army. A fully sovereign state cannot be built without fully implementing UNSC Resolution 1701, which calls for exclusive state control over arms. Without this, there is no constitution, law, dignity, or partnership, and Lebanon risks turning into a mere battleground for Hezbollah. What we want is for Hezbollah’s battlegrounds to reintegrate back into Lebanon."

Sayegh argued that everyone who supported and covered for Hezbollah’s weapons has been used to undermine the army, noting that the only substantial aid offered to the army was the Saudi grant, while the rest were loans.