Kataeb Lawmaker Selim Sayegh believed that Lebanon is gradually losing the components of a state.

"Unfortunately, the Lebanese state declared that it has no role nor authority in this war. Thus, it clearly admitted to all the countries of the world that it cannot control its territories, indicating the loss of its modern state components. This matter has implications for national unity," Sayegh said in an interview with Suroyo tv.

"Today, Lebanon is divided between those who believe in the state and those who do not, between those who want this war and those who do not, and between those who want to support the Palestinian cause at the expense of Lebanon and those who do not see its importance," he explained.

"Today, we see two Lebanons, and the responsibility for this lies with the faction that does not recognize the state, which is supposed to ensure order for everything in the country," he added.

Sayegh stated that the Kataeb Party spearheaded efforts to prevent the settlement of Palestinians in Lebanon, saying that the Kataeb Party also made a historical reconciliation by holding a meeting at the Kataeb headquarters in 2008.

He pointed out that the Palestinian side acknowledged the mistakes it made in Lebanon in the Charter of Beirut.

"We have learned that the crucial way to support global causes is by helping ourselves and by caring about the Lebanese cause without one faction dominating over another. Regarding the Palestinian cause, there is a national connection, but we should not extend our sympathy for this cause to the point of self-destruction. Lebanon is already facing collapse, its capital has been destroyed, its decision-making authority seized, and thus the components of its state are in jeopardy," Sayegh emphasized.

"I do not want to see Beirut as a platform for missiles," he said.

"Does the Palestinian cause need a platform for missiles from Lebanon, or does it need a platform of supportive positions for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and the establishment of a fully sovereign state?" he wondered.

"We are talking about whichever Lebanon we desire when we speak about Lebanese identity," he indicated.

"What is Lebanon?" he asked.

The Kataeb Lawmaker clarified that there is the reality and there is the desired outcome.

"The reality is an attempt by one faction to impose its opinion on the other through unilateralism and seizing national decision-making. The desired outcome is to have a rich diversity within a true and appealing unity that aligns with a single foreign policy declaring Lebanon's neutrality," he explained.

"I am deeply immersed in all humanitarian and global causes because, above all else, I am committed to universal secular values. I say that the Syrian cause concerns me, as well as the Ukranian and the Palestinian cause, among others," he said.

"The causes of freedom, justice, and solidarity are indivisible everywhere. Thus, I am a Lebanese carrying the message of human brotherhood to the nations. In essence, Lebanon's message is without any political constraints and selfish calculations. Is it forbidden for us to speak, support, and work towards playing the role of peacemakers and advocates for justice? Speaking out, taking a stance, and politically mobilizing are one thing; turning ourselves into fuel for others' wars is another," he went on saying.

"All we want is to preserve Lebanon, burdened with its faults but also incredibly rich in virtues, most notably freedom, which is incomparable. We have safeguarded it as guaranteed by the constitution, and we have spared no effort to preserve it," Sayegh noted.

He considered that the Palestinians bear a significant responsibility due to the internal Palestinian division that weakened their cause, saying that linking Hamas to Iran deprived it of any international support.

"Giving a religious color to such a cause has never served it, and today things are turning towards a national rather than a religious path," he said.

"Israeli hate speech, with its vengeful tone, amplifies the impact of the heinous crimes in Gaza, regardless of the justifications used by Israeli officials," he ponted out.

Sayegh stressed that hate speech leads to a negative pattern that is challenging to change later on.

Consequently, he questioned how Israel could coexist in the future with a population it has entirely labeled as a "terrorist people."

"In the midst of wars, efforts must be made to build the foundations of justice and peace, and therefore, respect for adversaries, as they are bound by peace, regardless of the outcome. The danger lies in nobody daring to prepare for reclaiming the initiative to outline a permanent and sustainable solution," he stated.

Responding to a question about the internal division in Israel, Sayegh explained: "The nature of the Israeli system includes internal self-monitoring, and authorities are subjected to accountability and debate. Often, Israeli governments have been ousted after wars they waged. Thus, we ensure that the prime minister cannot unilaterally make decisions regarding peace and war, especially in the face of the internal and external threats that Israel faces. With advancements in weapons, the widening scope of war, and the determination of one side to completely eliminate the other, Israelis cannot envision emerging from this war broken. We affirm that if it weren't Netanyahu, any other prime minister would have taken similar options."

Sayegh considered that there is no clarity about the outcome in Gaza, saying that Israelis might resort to larger operations reaching regions beyond, including Lebanon and Syria.

"The diplomatic discourse we hear in Gaza, emphasizing the need to protect civilians and ceasefire, is one thing, while the actual political cover for actions on the ground is another. This indicates a trend towards expanding the war, starting in the West Bank and southern Lebanon," he indicated.

The Kataeb Lawmaker warned that the internal rift in Lebanon is concerning, saying that the country's ability to endure in case it becomes involved in the war is very weak.

"While Gaza, with its infrastructure, can withstand and endure this battle, in Lebanon, there is a refusal to be dragged into the war. Hezbollah's poor performance towards Lebanon has eroded the trust of the Lebanese, and what happened in 2006 cannot be repeated today," he stressed.

Regarding Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah recent speeches, Sayegh asked: "Who determines the greater national interest in Lebanon? Why does Nasrallah seek to link Lebanon's fate to Gaza? Why not replace it with Damascus, for example? And is Beirut able to endure after all the crises it has been through, the largest being the Beirut port explosion?"

He emphasized that Lebanese cannot be held responsible for the results of Hezbollah's decision, saying that most of them reject dragging Lebanon into this war and linking their future to the future of all causes in the region.

Sayegh also addressed the presidential file, especially the paralysis occurring in the country, saying: "Every time the Shiite duo refuses to take responsibility for the paralysis in the country, from not electing a president to obstructing state institutions, it throws this responsibility onto others, especially Christians. When this duo agreed on candidate Jihad Azour, it obstructed the presidential elections sessions, and the masks fell off then."

"Today, we see a 'new trend' in the issue of the leadership of the Lebanese army, an attempt to attack a vital institution in the country. The only fault of the army commander is that he did not engage in corruption and maintained his integrity. That's why some reject him and do not want to extend his term during this sensitive period," he explained.

Sayegh noted that the Kataeb Party do not seek the most popular candidate but rather a president capable of reassuring the Lebanese, especially in these circumstances.

"The presidential candidate should have sufficient experience to manage institutions and respect the law. Internal agreement on a president will limit external interference," he pointed out.

As for the recent meeting between Kataeb Leader Samy Gemayel, and the French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, Sayegh revealed that Le Drian expressed the stance of the five countries interested in Lebanon during his visit.

"He returned convinced not to proceed with a "futile settlement." He suggested that now is an opportunity for Lebanon to reshape itself by respecting international law and resolutions, adopting a form of international protection, moving towards neutrality and self-distancing, and preserving the remaining state institutions, especially the Lebanese army. This lays the groundwork for an upcoming phase in which Lebanon prepares to hold a peace conference, with its president participating," he indicated.

The Kataeb Lawmaker stressed the need for solutions in the region not be at the expense of internal balances within countries; otherwise, the result would be the establishment of a new conflict in Lebanon.

Sayegh concluded by calling on all opposition forces to be vigilant and prepared for confrontation, starting with the election of the desired president for the Lebanese Republic today, reiterating the commitment to reject the policy of imposition.