MP Salim Sayegh has welcomed the recent Paris conference on Lebanon, emphasizing that it gathered the nation’s allies to affirm international support for Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty, and resilience against violations. Beyond pledging humanitarian aid and military support, he asserted, the conference also delivered a strong message: Lebanon must not be left to collapse.

“France and Lebanon’s allies are pursuing a United Nations-based approach,” Sayegh said in an interview on MTV, “one rooted in legitimacy and governed by mechanisms that can assure a durable solution.”

The conference’s timing coincided with remarks by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who firmly rejected Iranian interference in Lebanon. Sayegh pointed out that Mikati’s stance was significant, signaling to Lebanese factions that “no entity can sidestep constitutional authority or sovereign governance in Lebanon.”

The Kataeb MP further emphasized that Lebanon’s path forward must be focused on substance over appearances, and that Lebanese citizens must collectively shape their vision of a sovereign, effective state.

“We need a Lebanon with robust institutions, capable of enforcing its authority across the nation,” he stated.

Sayegh invoked the principles of Lebanon’s National Pact and the Taif Accord, stressing their foundational role in ending Lebanon’s civil war and establishing peace. He called for the disarmament of all militias and the transfer of weapons to the state, warning that any deviation from these commitments risks violating the country’s social contract.

“Once Lebanon adheres to these internal obligations, it will be prepared to engage with the international community as a free, capable state,” he asserted.

The MP underscored that Lebanon’s government, in its current state of caretaker capacity, must avoid binding Lebanon to permanent international commitments, given the absence of a president and a fully functioning constitutional system. He emphasized that parliamentary representation must be respected in decisions concerning national security and diplomacy, as lawmakers “represent the people and cannot be sidelined from matters of war and peace.”

Sayegh underlined the need for a comprehensive national defense strategy inclusive of all Lebanese, and argued that the right to defend the nation is not exclusive to any single group.

“The right to defend Lebanon belongs to every citizen,” he said, countering Hezbollah’s position as Lebanon’s sole defender. “Our will to defend Lebanon is not limited to any one party, and defense should be directed by the state, not by individual factions.”

Acknowledging the Lebanese Army’s openness to aid from any source, including Iran, Sayegh argued that control over Lebanon’s military decisions lies with Iran, not Hezbollah. Citing recent statements by Iran’s foreign minister in Beirut, he claimed that Iranian influence in Lebanon is increasingly overt, with Tehran allegedly instructing Hezbollah to escalate against Israel as pressure mounts on Iran regionally.

Sayegh expressed frustration that Iran has positioned Lebanon as a battleground in its broader conflict with Israel. He endorsed the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002, which calls for a comprehensive and just peace with Israel, including a resolution for the Palestinian people, and he voiced opposition to any efforts to undermine UN Resolution 1701, designed to stabilize Lebanon’s southern border. Sayegh suggested that public sentiment on Hezbollah’s armament has shifted, claiming that a referendum would reveal a broad consensus for a solely state-controlled military.

Sayegh asserted that UNSC Resolution 1701 cannot be stripped of its substance, and that people have grown disillusioned with false promises about the “protective” role of arms. 

On the issue of displaced citizens, Sayegh argued that Lebanese communities are central to fostering a welcoming environment but must not be coerced by Hezbollah’s actions. He emphasized that hospitality toward Lebanese compatriots in need is a reflection of the country’s values, stressing, “Our hospitality is rooted in our ethics, not charity, and we reject any incitement to division among Lebanese.”

Sayegh proposed that funds from the Paris conference should be directed toward housing displaced individuals in areas near their hometowns, under Lebanese and international protection. However, he criticized the government’s delayed response to the crisis, which he attributed to “a denial of the potential for displacement, given the political dynamics.”

With the Beirut International Airport and its access roads under increasing threat, Sayegh urged the government to prepare alternative infrastructure. He further noted that Lebanon’s private sector has suffered an 80% loss in capacity due to the conflict, with agriculture particularly affected. He called for economic measures to ease the burden on these sectors, including tax relief and the opening of additional seaports and airports, notably in Jounieh and Hamat.

Turning to Lebanon’s presidential impasse, Sayegh confirmed that Army Commander General Joseph Aoun remains a strong candidate, given his record during Lebanon’s ongoing challenges. However, he clarified that Aoun has not officially declared his candidacy or specified his political vision.

Sayegh expressed that Hezbollah’s long-term survival as a political party requires that it transition into a Lebanese-oriented entity and relinquish control over Lebanon’s judiciary and security institutions.

“You must release your grip on Lebanon’s sovereignty and legal system. Accountability will come, but now is the time for national unity," Sayegh concluded with a direct appeal to Hezbollah.