Lebanese Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh warned that the latest events, notably the Israeli airstrikes in Nabatiyeh, prove that Lebanon had merely been in a temporary 60-day truce rather than experiencing a lasting cessation of hostilities.

"The war on Lebanon is not over; it remains an open conflict," Sayegh said in an interview on OTV, emphasizing that the truce should have paved the way for the full implementation of international resolutions and Lebanon’s transition into a new era under new leadership.

"If this truce has collapsed, we must face its consequences with bitterness but also with realism. We have already started dealing with its repercussions today, yesterday, and possibly tomorrow."

A Return to Power Struggles

Sayegh lamented Lebanon’s return to a power-based equation, stressing that the southerners' right to return to their homes is sacred and embodies the nation's sovereignty through the presence of its people in every village and on every square meter of its land. However, he acknowledged that Lebanon is entangled in a prolonged and complex confrontation.

"There is a deliberate attempt to drag Lebanon into a conflict given the current balance of power. My greatest fear is that we are heading toward another cycle of violence that may start in the south but could spiral into the streets of Beirut and Rweisat Al-Jdeideh, as we saw lately," he cautioned.

When asked whether he was referring to a confrontation with Israel or an internal conflict, Sayegh responded, "It may differ in nature, but it is fueled by the same factions, the same groups, and the same banners."

"When a conflict breaks out in the south and spreads across Lebanon under the same banner, chants, and slogans, it suggests a deliberate effort to extend the chaos beyond a single region to the entire country. This kind of chaos is not just a threat to security and civil peace but also to the future of intercommunal relations in Lebanon. The slogans being raised are not exclusively against Israel."

The Lebanese Army’s Role

Sayegh underscored that the Lebanese army is responsible for protecting civilians and had previously warned them about the presence of Israeli landmines in the areas where casualties were reported.

"In political science, we do not judge based on intentions but on reality. We are not concerned with Israel’s intentions; we are concerned with the facts on the ground."

Sayegh called for prioritizing the return of the displaced to the south, ensuring that the army is deployed and can impose its authority in the region, and only then considering resistance in the event of a breach of the agreement.

"Who Brought Occupation and Destruction to the South?"

Sayegh posed critical questions: "Who brought occupation to the south? Who provoked it? Who is responsible for the destruction inflicted on the region?"

He stressed the need to emerge from this predicament with minimal losses, noting that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has secured a solution with the international community, "and we must ensure that this agreement is not sabotaged."

Sayegh noted a shift in Hezbollah chief Sheikh Naim Qassem’s rhetoric, pointing out that the latter previously spoke in a rational tone, but has now reverted to the old discourse about the militant group and its weapons.

Sayegh questioned the wisdom of provoking Israel instead of fulfilling Lebanon’s obligations and holding Israel accountable before the international community.

"Why should we be the ones to provoke Israel, when our duty is to do our part and place the responsibility on Israel in the eyes of the world?"

He reiterated that returning to the southern villages is a sacred right, just as self-defense is a legitimate right under international law.

"The United Nations Charter recognizes the right of nations to individual and collective self-defense. Once the UN puts an end to aggression and restores order, the need for self-defense ceases. We cannot invent legal justifications as we please."

"The State, Not a Party, Should Defend Lebanon"

Sayegh called for implementing the core principles of the ceasefire agreement, stressing that when Lebanon is under attack, it is the duty of the state, not a political party or a faction, to respond.

"If the state relinquishes its responsibilities, only then does popular resistance arise to defend Lebanese territory."

"No rational person wants to undermine our army. Unfortunately, some actors—whether knowingly or not—are complicit with Israel in weakening Lebanon’s military institution. This is why we need the wisdom of the President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, to form a new government."

Sayegh criticized the current caretaker government under Najib Mikati, stating that it does not enjoy parliamentary confidence.

"I have said this publicly before. We need a government that fully exercises its powers, with a president who serves as the guarantor and ensures that the army is not dragged into security incidents orchestrated by Hezbollah. The party is trying to entangle the army in internal conflicts through its drone operations. Who are they targeting? Naim Qassem must take action, as his group is violating the country’s security. He must stand with the army not just in words, but in deeds."

"We Must Hold Hezbollah Accountable for Its Actions"

Sayegh made it clear that he does not seek gratitude from those who were displaced from the south during the war, but he rejected the practice of turning a blind eye to Hezbollah’s repeated mistakes. 

"Whenever Hezbollah makes a misstep, we must hold it accountable with honest words. No one can outbid us on patriotism. Our community has fought, suffered, and endured hardship throughout its history. It does not accept chaos, nor the exploitation of religious slogans. That is why we tell them: 'Enough is enough,'" he affirmed. "We have instructed our supporters not to be dragged into provocations. The security forces must do their job."

"The Kataeb Party Will Judge the Government Based on Its Actions"

On the question of whether the Kataeb Party will participate in the new government, Sayegh explained that his party had supported the nomination of Nawaf Salam for prime minister and sought the broadest possible consensus on electing Joseph Aoun as president.

"Given the commitments outlined in the president's inaugural speech and Nawaf Salam’s statements, it is natural for us to continue supporting the state. The Kataeb Party plays a fundamental role in truth-telling and reconciliation, and our position is always honest and transparent. We seek to build the country on shared values."

However, he clarified that the Kataeb Party’s participation in the government is conditional.

"If the government does not align with the presidential oath or Nawaf Salam’s vision, we will take our stance accordingly."

Sayegh praised Salam’s straightforwardness, praising him as "a candid man who does not wish to expose all his considerations to public debate."

"We must allow him to form his government without interference. What we need is a cabinet that does not engage in political infighting, not even over symbolic gestures."

"You have the authority and legitimacy—go ahead and present your lineup to President Joseph Aoun. The people are behind you, waiting for your leadership. Do not hesitate. We will support this government in one way or another," Sayegh said in an address to Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam.