NNA - Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel has issued a stark warning about the dangers of a potential full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel, calling for urgent Arab and international intervention to prevent what he describes as an impending catastrophe in Lebanon.

“We are in dire need of all possible Arab and international efforts to spare Lebanon from the looming disaster,” Gemayel said in an interview with BBC News Arabic.

He emphasized the critical importance of preventing escalation into a comprehensive war and underscored that implementing international resolutions, specifically 1701 and 1559, is vital for maintaining stability in the region.

Gemayel stressed the severe consequences of escalating tensions, highlighting that Lebanon, already burdened by years of political and economic instability, cannot afford another devastating conflict.

"If war breaks out, we will witness nothing but more destruction and harm to the Lebanese, and further regression for Lebanon," he warned.

Gemayel was unequivocal in his criticism of Hezbollah, asserting that Lebanon is effectively being held hostage by the militant group, leaving no room for political or economic development. He argued that as long as Hezbollah continues to wield significant power and maintains its arsenal, the development of any meaningful political system in Lebanon is impossible.

"An armed militia with its own agenda has no right to make unilateral decisions and drag the rest of the Lebanese people into a war they do not want," Gemayel stressed.

Gemayel further accused Iran of exploiting the Palestinian cause to bolster its standing in the Arab and Islamic world.

“Iran wants to continue holding the Palestinian issue hostage, presenting itself as the sole defender of Gaza and the leading authority in the Islamic world,” he stated, suggesting that Tehran’s involvement is more about regional influence than genuine support for Palestinians.

Amid rising tensions, Gemayel expressed deep concern over Lebanon's future, emphasizing that the country needs a break from the relentless cycle of violence.

"Lebanon is a small, troubled nation that has endured difficult times throughout its history. It needs a respite," he asserted, adding that the Lebanese people deserve "a break from conflicts, bloodshed, and death, to live just two days like normal people."

Gemayel also touched on the broader implications of a potential conflict with Israel, questioning why Lebanon should bear the brunt of a war when other regional powers, such as Egypt and Jordan, have chosen not to engage militarily with Israel despite their larger military and economic capacities.

“Why should Lebanon pay the price of war? It is the only country opening its border front with Israel, while Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab states have not,” he remarked.

Despite the grim outlook, Gemayel remained cautiously optimistic about the possibility of diplomatic efforts to defuse the situation, noting the difficulty of finding common ground when extremism prevails on both sides.

“When extremism exists on both sides, it becomes difficult to find solutions because logic is absent,” he said. “When logic is missing, negotiators face an uphill battle.”

He also condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, describing them as "one of the greatest atrocities in human history" and holding them responsible for the current instability in the Middle East. However, he firmly rejected Hezbollah’s unilateral military actions, arguing that Lebanon can support the Palestinian cause without engaging in a military confrontation that the country is ill-equipped to handle.

Gemayel underscored the need for any decision regarding military engagement with Israel to be made collectively by the Lebanese people through legitimate state institutions, not by a single faction.

The Kataeb chief reiterated Lebanon's desire for peace, reminding of the armistice agreement with Israel that was established in 1948. He argued that this agreement could have led to stability on the Lebanese-Israeli border, which is what Lebanon seeks.

"We do not want to live in a perpetual state of war. No one in the world wants to remain in a permanent state of war," he said, calling for a resolution that includes Israel's withdrawal from occupied areas, the demarcation of borders, the resolution of the Palestinian refugee issue in Lebanon, and the cessation of Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace. ---- Kataeb.Org [English]

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