MP Salim Sayegh warned that Lebanon is facing growing regional dangers amid speculation that the country could be drawn into a new phase of conflict following the Gaza war, accusing Hezbollah of giving Israel pretexts to violate Lebanese sovereignty and paralyzing State institutions.

“The moment we’re living in is not a purely political one but a period filled with rumors and analyses suggesting that something is being prepared for Lebanon after Gaza,” Sayegh said in an interview with OTV. “The war has not stopped, as Israeli strikes continue and Hezbollah keeps delivering mobilizing speeches about restoring its capabilities; something Israeli reports are inflating to justify any future attack.”

Sayegh warned that “the greatest danger lies in the displacement of residents south of the Litani River,” which he said would have “devastating economic, financial, and security consequences” for Lebanon.

He accused Hezbollah of “surrendering to foreign powers instead of submitting to the authority of the Lebanese State,” questioning how the group could claim to protect Lebanon when “the Lebanese Army’s own reports confirm there are no weapons south of the Litani.”

“The only solution is for Hezbollah to come under the authority of the Lebanese State,” he said.

The Kataeb lawmaker argued that Hezbollah’s actions have “given Israel additional justification to violate Lebanese sovereignty.” He added that “without international protection, Lebanon would already have plunged into chaos,” warning that “Israel knows Hezbollah is rebuilding its military power and remains capable of undermining State decisions.”

Sayegh urged the international community to ensure that the Lebanese Army’s disarmament plan proceeds as intended and to pressure Israel to avoid escalation.

“Israel might seize this opportunity to expand its influence in the region and pursue an agenda that contradicts previous agreements,” he cautioned. “It’s not looking for peace or regional partners.”

Sayegh reaffirmed his confidence in the Lebanese Army, saying arrangements for the disarmament plan “are progressing as they should,” though Hezbollah lawmakers “continue to obstruct its implementation.”

“Our main battle is against Hezbollah’s ideology that Lebanon cannot exist without the so-called tripartite formula,” he said. “What Hezbollah MPs are saying goes against the presidency, and Speaker Berri remains the main source of obstruction.”

On possible negotiations with Israel, Sayegh said Lebanon’s experience with the maritime border demarcation showed that talks are possible, predicting that “the Gaza model will eventually be applied in Lebanon.”

“The plan is to completely shift the balance of power,” he said. “What’s needed now is a just peace and a public acknowledgment of Lebanon’s sovereignty, but Hezbollah is trying to buy time and continues smuggling weapons from Syria.”

Turning to domestic politics, Sayegh said the Kataeb Party would boycott Tuesday’s parliamentary session in protest of Speaker Nabih Berri's refusal to include the electoral law amendment, granting expatriates the right to vote for all 128 MPs, in the agenda. 

“The same reasons that led us to walk out of the previous session still stand,” he said. “We are ready for a political confrontation if Speaker Berri insists on blocking debate over the repeal of Article 112 of the electoral law.”

Sayegh, who confirmed he would run as the Kataeb candidate in Keserwan in the upcoming parliamentary elections, said his party remains “the freest in its choices and alliances.”

“We will align with those who share our vision,” he said. “The Kataeb Party will gradually demonstrate its growing strength in the coming months and will be a major surprise in the 2026 elections.”